Baseball Sweeps Back-to-Back Series in Hawai'i

Thursday, March 21

Honolulu, HI

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

19-5, 15-1

Hawai'i Pacific

17-8, 8-5

Grand Canyon

Hawaii Pacific BA

Garrett Jeffries

Photo by: Theon Carrier

3/22/2013 1:18:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Win four against Hawai'i Pacific in key West Region matchup

The Grand Canyon University baseball team ran their win streak to 11 games with another doubleheader sweep of Hawai’i Pacific tonight at Hans L’Orange Park in Waipahu, Hawai’i. It was the fourth series sweep for the Antelopes this season, who improved to 20-5 overall and 15-1 in the Pacific West Conference as they maintained the top spot in the conference standings. The Sea Warriors fell to 17-9 overall and 8-6 in conference play.

This was a key West Region matchup for the ‘Lopes, as the Sea Warriors were ranked ahead of GCU at fourth in the most recent National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll. The 'Lopes also kept intact their perfect road record at 8-0.

The ‘Lopes won the first game, 5-3, behind strong pitching as they were actually outhit by HPU (12-9). Andrew Naderer improved to 5-1 on the season after allowing just 2 runs on 8 hits and 3 walks with 5 strikeouts over 5.0 innings of work. Kevin Behnke entered the game in the ninth inning and struck out the side to successfully convert his third save in the past two days and fourth overall this season.

Seth Fretheim, Harlyn Griffiths, Chris Lindmark, and Ryan Moore each had 2 hits in the first game, while Griffiths was responsible for plating 3 runs.

GCU opened the scoring with 2 runs in the top of the third inning when Lindmark connected for a one-out single and came around to score on three consecutive singles from Moore, Fretheim, and Griffiths. Moore also scored on the 2 RBI single off the bat of Griffiths. The ‘Lopes cushioned their lead to 4 runs an inning later after Garrett Jeffries reached via an error, stole second, and scored on a Lindmark single up the middle. Lindmark then crossed home plate on a Fretheim single two batters later.

The Sea Warriors made it a one-run game (4-3) in the bottom of the sixth inning after connecting for four hits in the frame. HPU had runners in scoring position in the bottom of the eighth inning, but Malcolm Purdy got the ‘Lopes out of the inning with the lead.

GCU then added an insurance run in the ninth when Griffiths doubled home Moore, who was hit by a pitch to open the inning.

The 'Lopes won the second game, 6-1, after breaking open the five-run lead with four scores in the top of the seventh inning. Cody Repenning, making his first start of the season, picked up the win after allowing 1 run on 5 hits and 2 walks with 3 strikeouts over 4.1 innings of work. Jaren Drummond, Kyle Detwiler, and Austin Buelow combined for 2.2 scoreless innings of relief for GCU.

Griffiths collected two more hits in the second contest, while this time Jeffries had 3 RBI.

The ‘Lopes struck first with a run in the opening frame as Brian Kraft scored via a groundout from Jeffries. GCU made it 2-0 in the fourth inning before HPU cut that lead in half by scoring a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame.

HPU threatened again when they had runners on second and third in the sixth inning, but Detwiler was able to record three outs before another run scored. The Sea Warriors walked back-to-back ‘Lopes to begin the seventh inning and had the bases loaded with one out for Jeffries, who hit a 2-run single and Griffiths followed with a sacrifice fly to extend GCU’s lead to 5-1. Lindmark plated the sixth run for the ‘Lopes with an RBI triple to send pinch-runner Nick Chapman safely across home.

GCU will now return home for six games, beginning with a two-game non-conference series against Cal Poly Pomona on Monday. First pitch is slated for 7 p.m. at Brazell Stadium. Fans can follow the action via live stats by visiting www.gculopes.com.

GCU 5, HPU 3
GCU 6, HPU 1