The Grand Canyon University baseball team is ranked 10
th in the latest National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association West Region Poll, as released today. The Antelopes were ranked eighth in last week’s poll.
Other Pacific West Conference schools on the list are Dixie State (7-1) at No. 2 and Hawai’i Pacific (7-3) one spot ahead of the ‘Lopes.
GCU went 1-2 in their weekend series against visiting Colorado Mesa at Brazell Stadium and are 5-4 overall on the season. The ‘Lopes strung together five straight wins from Feb. 10-22.
Steven Swingle continues to lead the ‘Lopes offensively with a .421 batting average (16-for-38) with 6 runs, 2 doubles, a triple, 2 home runs and a team-high-tying 8 RBI.
Derek Mendoza has also plated 8 runs for GCU. On the mound,
Jorge Perez owns a 1.35 ERA (3 ER in 20.0 IP) with 18 strikeouts and just 4 walks over his three starts as he has posted a 2-1 record. Out of the bullpen,
Brandon Bonilla has made six scoreless appearances.
GCU will open Pacific West Conference play when they host Academy of Art for a four-game series beginning on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Brazell Stadium. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday beginning at 4 p.m. and will conclude the series with a single game on Saturday at noon.
NCBWA West Region Top 10 - Feb. 25, 2013
Rank - School Name (First Place Votes) - 2013 Record - Vote Points - Rank in 2013 Preseason Poll
1. Chico State (5), 11-1, 58 pts, 1st
2. Dixie State (1), 7-1, 53 pts, 3rd
3. Sonoma State, 8-2, 49 pts, 4th
4. Cal State Monterey Bay, 11-4, 39 pts, 7th
5. Cal Poly Pomona, 10-5, 33 pts, 2nd
6. Cal State L.A., 9-6, 30 pts, RV
7. UC San Diego, 9-6, 24 pts, 5th
8. Cal State San Bernardino, 8-4, 15 pts, 6th
9. Hawaii Pacific, 7-3, 12 pts, 10th
10. Grand Canyon, 5-4, 8 pts, 8th
Others receiving votes: Cal State East Bay (11-4) 7 pts, Cal Baptist (5-7) 1 pt, Fresno Pacific (8-5) 1 pt
Dropped out: Fresno Pacific (8-5)