GCU Takes Two from Academy of Art

Friday, March 11

GCU

1:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

7-12, 3-6

Academy of Art

2-13, 2-7

Academy of Art

Grand Canyon

Tyler Bair went 4-for-8 with 4 runs scored today.

3/11/2011 6:15:28 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Mike McNally

The Grand Canyon University baseball team swept Academy of Art, 7-1 and 7-5, today at Brazell Stadium in Phoenix, Ariz.

Grand Canyon improves to 8-12 overall, 4-6 in the Pacific West Conference. Academy of Art falls to 2-14, 2-8 in the PacWest.

The wins were the first for interim head coach Ryan Bethel, who took over the baseball duties earlier this week.

Brady Wager started and was dominant in picking up the game one victory. He threw 8.1 innings, allowing one run on four hits with 10 strikeouts. Wager retired the first seven batters he faced before allowing an infield single in the third inning. After the hit, he set down the next 11 straight batters.

The ‘Lopes scored four runs in the second inning, highlighted by a two-run double by Colin Courtland.

GCU went up 5-0 in the fifth when Courtland drew a bases loaded walk. The next batter, Jackie Samora, lined a base hit to center to increase the lead to 7-0.

Joe Jacobson was 3-for-5 in game one as the team’s designated hitter.

After falling behind 1-0 in game two, GCU responded by plating five runs in the second inning. After Tyler Bair led off the second inning with a hit, Art U starting pitcher Zach Mexicano walked four straight batters to give GCU a 2-1 lead. Leadoff hitter Joey Bristyan then ripped a line drive two-RBI double to right field to put the ‘Lopes up 4-1. Ernesto Ortiz followed with a sacrifice to close out the scoring in the inning.

PJ Garcia would have an RBI-triple in the third and RBI-double in the fifth to up the lead to 7-1.

The Urban Knights mounted a comeback scoring a run in the sixth and three in the seventh, before Cody Repenning closed out the game and picked up his first save of the season.

Coltin White made his second start for Grand Canyon, picking up his second straight win. He pitched 6.0 innings, allowing two runs on seven hits.

Grand Canyon returns to action tomorrow, with another doubleheader against Academy of Art. First pitch for game one is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. at Brazell Stadium. The GCU coaches and players will be wearing pink jerseys in honor of “Step Up to the Plate Against Breast Cancer”. The team is inviting any survivors to throw out the ceremonial first pitch prior to game one. In addition, there will be a barbeque on Mariposa Lawn just outside the Antelope Gymnasium beginning at 11 a.m. Admission to the game and BBQ are free. All donations will go directly to the Susan G. Komen Foundation.

Game Notes: R.J. Etchebarren was held hitless in game two and saw his 18-game hitting streak end…White has pitched 6.0 innings in back-to-back starts since coming out of the bullpen…Bristyan and P.J. Garcia each has an eight-game hitting streak…GCU left a season-high 13 runners on base in game one.

GCU 7 AAU 1

GCU 7 AAU 5