The Grand Canyon University baseball team extended their winning streak to seven games today, knocking off Dixie State, 10-3 and 6-4, at Brazell Stadium in Phoenix.
The ‘Lopes improved to 18-15 overall and 13-9 in the PacWest Conference. Dixie State, No. 5 in the west region, falls to 17-9 overall and 13-5 in the conference. GCU has now won 12 of its past 15 games, all under the direction of interim head coach Ryan Bethel.
The Antelopes jumped out to a 6-0 lead after three innings in game one. They scored three runs on five hits in the first inning, highlighted by a RBI-double by Kaleb Evans and a RBI-single Ernesto Ortiz.
Grand Canyon used the long ball to score its four runs in the sixth on two-run home runs by
PJ Garcia and
Colin Courtland. It was the first home run for both this season.
Brady Wager (4-4) picked up the win, allowing three runs (two earned) on four hits over 7.0 innings.
William Armijo pitched 2.0 scoreless innings in relief.
Evans and Garcia led the offensive attack in the opener, each collecting three hits.
GCU opened game two much like they did in game one, this time jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning.
The ‘Lopes had five hits in the opening frame, highlighted by RBI-singles from
Tyler Bair, Evans, Garcia and Ortiz.
Cody Repenning (4-1) started for the Antelopes and recorded his fourth complete game of the season. Repenning allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits over 7.0 innings.
The Red Storm had the bases loaded in the seventh with one out, but Repenning got Tony Nelson to ground into a double play to complete the two-game sweep.
Etchebarren, Quiroz and Garcia each finished with three hits.
The two teams will continue to battle for first place in the PacWest tomorrow, where they will play a doubleheader beginning at 12:00 p.m. at Brazell Stadium.
Game Notes: The Antelopes have had at least 11 hits in their past eight games (115 total hits)…P.J. Garcia was 6-for-9 with four RBI in the two games… Evans stole a base in each game and has a team-best nine for the season.
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