The Grand Canyon University baseball team rallied for a run in the ninth and two runs in the 10th to knock off No. 1 Tampa, 3-1, tonight at University of Tampa Stadium in Tampa, Fla.
GCU improves to 9-12 overall, while Tampa falls to 14-3.
The Antelopes received stellar pitching this evening from all three hurlers that saw action.
Jorge Perez started and allowed one run on three hits over 5.0 innings.
Coltin White (2-0) picked up the win, tossing 4.0 scoreless innings, allowing only one hit. Mark Jarrett recorded his third save of the season after pitching a scoreless 10th.
Ernesto Ortiz walked with one out in the ninth and stole second to move into scoring position.
P.J. Garcia singled to move Ortiz to third. Freshman
Tagg Duce greeted Spartan reliever Preston Packrall with an RBI single, tying the game at 1-1.
Aaron Mees got the ‘Lopes going in the 10th with a one-out single.
Joey Bristyan followed with a single to right to place runners on first and second. Ortiz flied out to right, but an error by the Tampa shortstop allowed the go-ahead run in Mees to score. Duce followed with a single to left to give the ‘Lopes a two-run cushion and eventual win.
The two squads will meet again tomorrow with a game at 5 p.m. (Arizona time). They will wrap up the three-game set with a game at 8 a.m. (Arizona time) on Sunday.