Mendoza's Blast Gives 'Lopes 4-3 Win over Cal Baptist

Thursday, April 12

Phoenix, AZ

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

20-17, 17-12

California Baptist

31-8, 24-5

California Baptist

Grand Canyon

Brady Wager had six strikeouts tonight vs. Cal Baptist.

4/12/2012 10:04:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

The Grand Canyon University baseball team defeated Cal Baptist, 4-3, tonight at Brazell Stadium in the first of a four-game series. The Antelopes improved to 20-17 overall, 17-12 in the PacWest Conference with the win, while Cal Baptist is now 31-8 overall, 24-5 in conference play.

The Lancers entered the series ranked 10^th nationally and first in the West Region. CBU also currently sits atop the PacWest Conference.

GCU rallied for three runs in the eighth inning to post a comeback victory on a night when the program honored its 10 seniors before the first pitch. Derek Mendoza connected for a three-run home run in the inning, his second of the season, to propel the ‘Lopes to their 11^th win the past 14 games.

Starter Brady Wager allowed three runs, two earned, over 8.0 innings to improve his record to 6-3. Wager collected six strikeouts and issued just one walk, which was intentional. Mark Jarrett tossed a perfect ninth inning to secure his sixth save of the season.

“When Brady is good, his ball is sinking and he induces a lot of ground balls,” said head coach Andy Stankiewicz. “He had a few nice double plays behind him and P.J. made a nice back-handed grab. That’s Brady: if he stays down in the zone and we play good defense, he will keep us in the game. And that is what he did tonight. Even the hit that scored those two runs, it was a ground ball. He did a good job of fighting through tonight.”

CBU starter Patrick Smith was charged with all four runs in 7.1 innings to move his record to 7-2.

The two teams were locked in a scoreless tie until the ‘Lopes put the first run on the board via an RBI double from Michael Pomeroy to score Joey Bristyan. The Lancers responded with a run of their own in the seventh inning. CBU then tacked on two more runs in the eighth inning on a 2-run single from Matt Daugherty.

Bristyan opened up the bottom half of the eighth inning with a single to right field and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Nick Chapman. Pomeroy then singled to third. A double steal placed Bristyan on third and Pomeroy on second to set the stage for Mendoza. With the count full, he placed a Smith pitch over the left field fence to put the ‘Lopes ahead 4-3.

Mendoza, Bristyan, Pomeroy and Jackie Samora each finished with two hits in the game.

“Tonight was a great example of what we have worked on all season,” added Stankiewicz. “In that eighth inning, we got the leadoff hitter on and then Nick tried to get a bunt base hit to put pressure on their defense. And we got a big hit from Derek. He is kind of our go-to guy and he came through again.”

The two teams will be in action again tomorrow with a doubleheader slated to begin at 3 p.m. at Brazell Stadium.

“We still have a ways to go,” said Stankiewicz. “That is a good team we played and they are going to come back tomorrow ready to go. We have to be ready to fight again and go to battle. This is baseball. These 4-3 games with good teams playing, this is how you get prepared for your program to make some noise in the future. I’m looking forward to two more great games tomorrow and another on Saturday.”

GCU 4, CBU 3