GCU Improves to 2-0, Defeats Arizona Christian, 3-2

Thursday, February 3

GCU

4:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

2-0

Arizona Christian

5-4

Arizona Christian

Grand Canyon

David Wydeven

2/3/2011 6:38:02 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Mike McNally

On another chilly night this evening at Brazell Stadium, the Grand Canyon University baseball team improved its record to 2-0, defeating Arizona Christian, 3-2.

GCU trailed 2-1 entering the seventh, but used some timely hitting to score once in the seventh and once in the eighth to pull out the win.

Colin Courtland drilled a two-out double to right center in the seventh to begin the comeback for the ‘Lopes. After a wild pitch moved him to third and a walk by Joe Jacobson, Trevor Santor lined a pitch to left to score Courtland and knot the game up at 2-2.

Jackie Samora, who went 2-for-4 in the game, led off the eighth with a single to left and later would score the go-ahead run on a sacrifice fly by Tyler Bair.

The offense came alive when it was needed late but the pitching staff put together an outstanding performance throughout, highlighted by starter David Wydeven. He pitched 7.0 innings, allowing a pair of runs on four hits. Wydeven retired the final nine batters he faced on the evening.

William Armijo recorded the win, pitching 1.1 innings of scoreless ball. Coltin White relieved Armijo in the ninth with a runner on, but managed to get out the inning, picking up the save in the process.

“As I said last night, a win is a win,” said head coach Dave Stapleton. “Whether it’s by 10 runs or one run, it is the end result that counts. Obviously we would like to score more runs, but we will need to find different ways to win as the season goes on and tonight we did just that. Early on this season, we are finding out some good things about our club.”

Grand Canyon returns to action this Saturday, Feb. 5 at 12 p.m., where they will host The Master’s College at Brazell Stadium.

Notes – With his double in the seventh inning, Colin Courtland extended his hitting streak to 12 games (dating back to 2010)…Joe Jacobson reached base safely in all four of his at-bats, walking three times and being hit by a pitch…the ‘Lopes stole five bases tonight and have stolen 10 in the first two games this season…tonight’s first pitch temperature was 47 degrees, compared to 41 at first pitch last night.

Full Box Score can be viewed here.