GCU Earns Split in Hilo

Tuesday, March 1

Hilo, HI

7:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

3-9, 0-3

Hawaii Hilo

6-2, 3-0

Grand Canyon

Hawai'i Hilo

Wong Stadium in Hilo

3/2/2011 12:44:22 AM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Mike McNally

After falling 6-1 in the first game of tonight’s doubleheader with Hawai’i Hilo, the Grand Canyon University baseball team rebounded to rout the Vulcans in the nightcap, 9-1, at Wong Stadium in Hilo, Hawai’i.

The win snapped a five-game losing streak and improved GCU’s record to 4-9, 1-3 in the Pacific West Conference.

Colin Courtland was the story in the second game, tossing a complete game six-hitter, while going 3-for-4 with three runs scored at the plate.

Courtland retired the first seven batters he faced, before a double and two singles gave Hawai’i Hilo a 1-0 lead after three innings.

GCU tied the game in the fourth when Courtland doubled deep to right center and scored on a Joe Jacobson RBI single.

An RBI single by Ernesto Ortiz and a sacrifice fly by Tyler Bair gave the ‘Lopes a 3-1 lead after five innings.

Courtland led off the sixth with his second double of the game and would later score on Jackie Samora’s RBI single.

Grand Canyon would then bust the game wide open in the seventh, completing their 18-hit game two attack, scoring five runs on six hits, highlighted by Kalab Evans’ two-run triple.

Courtland (1-1) continued his dominance on the mound, finishing as he started, retiring the last seven batters in order.

R.J. Etchebarren extended his hitting streak to 12 games, going 4-for-4 in the game. Jacobson was 3-for-4.

Game one was tight throughout as GCU’s David Wydeven and Hilo’s Ronnie Loeffler matched up in a pitchers dual.

Wydeven was in control through seven innings, retiring 11 in a row from the fifth through the seventh. He would get into trouble in the eighth as the Vulcans’ Cade Uyetake reached on an error by Ortiz to open the eighth. After loading the bases, Dan Hennigs drove a ball to deep left for a two-run double and a 3-1 Hilo lead. Cody Repenning relieved Wydeven, but allowed a pair of hits that extended the Vulcans lead to 6-1.

GCU was held to three hits in the game and scored their lone run on a sacrifice fly by Bair.

Loeffler pitched a complete game for the Vulcans (6-3, 3-1), striking out six, while walking four.

The series will conclude tomorrow with a single game beginning at 9 p.m. (Arizona Time) at Wong Stadium. The game will be played as a non-conference affair. The game can once again be heard on Hawai’i Hilo Radio. Go to GCULopes.com to access the broadcast. Following the game the Antelopes will have an off day in Hilo before flying to Honolulu, where they will play a four-game set against PacWest foe Hawai’i Pacific from March 5-6.

Hawai'i Hilo 6 GCU 1

GCU 9 Hawai'i Hilo 1