The Grand Canyon University baseball team split a doubleheader with Hawai’i Pacific today, losing 12-9 and winning 17-1, at Brazell Stadium in Phoenix.
GCU is now 11-13 overall and 7-7 in the Pacific West Conference. HPU’s record stands at 7-13, 5-5 in conference.
The Antelopes fell behind 12-1 after seven innings of game one, before rallying for the three runs in the eighth inning, five runs in the ninth inning and putting the tying run up at the plate.
Brady Wager (2-4) started for the ‘Lopes and took the loss despite 8 of his 11 runs allowed being unearned.
Austin Buelow scattered four hits over 3.0 scoreless innings in relief.
Offensively the Antelopes received a spark from reserves
Danne Quiroz and
Mike Kenneth. Both went 2-for-2 with two RBI to spark the GCU comeback attempt.
Grand Canyon continued its scoring run into the second game of the doubleheader, scoring in every inning.
Kalab Evans led off the second with a double, followed by a
PJ Garcia triple to push the lead to 2-0.
Jackie Samora and Bristyan would later sinlge to extend the lead to 4-0.
From there the flood gates would open as the ‘Lopes, wearing green uniforms in honor of St. Patrick’s Day, continued to tack on runs, highlighted by seven runs in the sixth inning on three hits, three walks, a hit batter and a catcher’s interference.
Six GCU players had multi-hit games, led by
R.J. Etchebarren’s 3-for-5 three RBI game and Samora’s 3-for-3 two RBI game.
Antelope hitters will head into tomorrow having scored 25 runs in their last eight innings at the plate.
Coltin White picked up the complete-game win on the mound, allowing one run on eight hits over 7.0 innings. White struck out four, while walking one.
Grand Canyon returns to action tomorrow with another doubleheader against Hawai’i Pacific. First pitch of game one at Brazell Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.