'Lopes Drop Two to Dixie

Saturday, April 2

GCU

12:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

18-16, 13-10

Dixie State

18-9, 14-5

Dixie State

Grand Canyon

David Wydeven

4/2/2011 6:58:39 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

The Grand Canyon University baseball team dropped a pair of games to Dixie State today, 4-2 and 9-4, at Brazell Stadium in Phoenix.

The losses drop the Antelopes’ overall record to 18-17, 13-11 in the Pacific West Conference. Dixie State, No. 5 in the west region, improved to 19-9 overall and 15-5 in the conference.

The ‘Lopes completed their 17-game homestand with a 12-5 record, all under interim head coach Ryan Bethel.

The opener was a pitching duel with both teams having numerous chances to win the game.

R.J. Etchebarren drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the ninth inning with the game tied at 2-2. A sacrifice bunt by Danne Quiroz moved Etchebarren to second with one out. Red Storm reliever Kyle DiMartino struck out Tyler Bair for the second out of the inning. After Kalab Evans reached on a hit-by-pitch, PJ Garcia lined a single to left. Etchebarren attempted to score the winning run from second on the play, but was thrown out at the plate to force extra frames.

After falling behind 4-2 in the 10^th inning, the Antelopes threatened again, but Dixie’s Daniel Zapata was able to strike out Quiroz with the bases loaded to end the game.

Justin McKee was charged with loss, allowing two runs on three hits in 2.2 innings of relief. David Wydeven started for GCU and allowed two runs (one earned) on five hits over 7.1 innings.

Dixie State used an 11-hit attack to win the second game and earn a split for the weekend.

With the scored tied at 1-1, the Red Storm plated four runs on four hits off GCU starter Coltin White, to take a 5-1 lead in the fourth inning.

GCU rebounded to score three in the bottom half of the innings, highlighted by a two-run double by Joey Bristyan.

Dixie State put the game out of reach with two runs in the fifth and single runs in the sixth and seventh.

White (5-3) took the loss, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits over 4.0 innings.

Colin Courtland had two hits to pace the offense.

Grand Canyon returns to the diamond this Tuesday, when they travel to Pomona, Calif. for a single game with Cal Poly Pomona. They will be in action this weekend with a four-game series against PacWest foe Academy of Art in Oakland, Calif.

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