'Lopes Defeat UCSD in Final Game of Series

Sunday, February 10

Phoenix, AZ

12 p.m.

Grand Canyon

1-2

UC San Diego

4-2

UC San Diego

Grand Canyon

Paul Panaccione

Photo by: Theon Carrier

2/10/2013 3:32:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Back in action next weekend at Brazell Stadium

The Grand Canyon University baseball team won the final matchup of their three-game series against visiting No. 19/No. 22 (NCBWA/Collegiate Baseball) UC San Diego, 7-6, today at Brazell Stadium. With the win, the Antelopes are now 1-2 overall, while the Tritons are 4-2.

“It is always nice to get the first win out of the way, especially against one of the better teams on the west coast and in the country,” said head coach Andy Stankiewicz. “We knew they were going to challenge us and our guys responded well after getting kicked around the first two nights. As a team, I hope these guys have realized that we have to come together and work together.”

For the ‘Lopes, Coley Bruns was credited with the win after providing 4.1 solid innings of relief, allowing just 3 hits and 2 runs (1 earned) with 2 strikeouts in that time. Trent Wilson got the start for GCU, and was charged with 4 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks with 4 strikeouts over 3.0 innings. Trevor Scott was charged with his first loss for the Tritons.

“Trent had a good outing and gave us good, competitive innings,” added Stankiewicz. “He could have went south, but he battled and made some big pitches. Then Coley came in and really did a great job.”

Offensively, Steven Swingle once again had an impressive day at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a run scored and RBI. Paul Panaccione led the way with 2 RBI, while Kyle Raidy posted his first 2-hit game of the season. In total, eight of GCU’s starting offensive lineup connected for at least one hit.

UCSD got the scoring started early after plating two runs in the top of the first inning as the first three batters connected for hits. The Tritons added two more runs in the top of the fourth inning to extend their lead to 4-0.

GCU’s bats got off to a slow start until the fourth inning when the ‘Lopes exploded for seven hits and six runs to take the lead. After Panaccione reached via error to lead off the inning and scored via Seth Fretheim's double, the next five batters connected for singles around the outfield that plated five more runs in the inning.

The ‘Lopes added an insurance run in the sixth inning when Nick Chapman came around to score on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Panaccione.

The Tritons made it interesting in the eighth inning as they closed the gap to one run, 7-6, after scoring twice. However, Mark Jarrett converted his first save of the young season with 1.1 scoreless innings to secure the victory for GCU.

GCU will next be in action when they host Saint Martin’s for a three-game series beginning on Friday at Brazell Stadium. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m.

“Opening series can bring anxiety and the team can get sidetracked, but hopefully the guys can take a deep breath and relax a little bit and play good team baseball moving forward.”

GCU 7, UCSD 6