'Lopes Sweep Doubleheader Against Point Loma

Saturday, March 9

Phoenix, AZ

12 p.m.

Grand Canyon

11-5, 6-1

Point Loma

8-10, 6-5

Point Loma

Grand Canyon

Kyle Raidy

Photo by: Theon Carrier

3/9/2013 4:56:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Win 3 of last 4 in key PacWest series

The Grand Canyon University baseball team swept their doubleheader against Point Loma today at Brazell Stadium. With the pair of wins, the Antelopes improved to 12-5 overall and 7-1 in Pacific West Conference play. The Sea Lions fell to 8-11 overall and 6-6 in the conference.

The first game was a pitcher’s duel, but the ‘Lopes exploded for another double-digit run affair in the second game as they outscored Point Loma 13-1 in today’s doubleheader.

“I politely asked the team to play better baseball after that first game on Thursday,” said head coach Andy Stankiewicz. “We were frustrated after losing that opener, but to come back and win three in a row is big. It tells us that the guys didn’t get down. We didn’t get a chance to take batting practice for two straight days, but to the guys, that didn’t seem to matter. I am proud of coming back over the weekend. Point Loma is a good team – they like to run. Our pitchers and catchers did a great job of holding down their running game and that was key."

Brian Kraft, Michael Pomeroy, and Derek Mendoza each collected 3 hits in the two contests, while Kraft, Mendoza and Harlyn Griffiths plated 2 runs apiece. GCU had 18 hits today, while the pitching staff held the Sea Lions to eight hits in 14.0 innings and did not allow a run over the final 11.0 innings of the doubleheader.

“Our starters have done a great job, and that is a testament to Coach Choate,” added Stankiewicz. “We preach about pitching to contact. They are in great shape, our strength and conditioning staff has done a tremendous job with these guys. It starts on the mound. If you pitch well, you have a chance to be in the game. So far, that is what this season has shown.”

In the first game, Point Loma struck first when they reached base via a two-out error in the top of the third inning. The next batter doubled down the left field line to plate the first run of the contest.

The ‘Lopes responded with two runs of their own in the bottom half of the frame, as Ryan Tomita and Kraft crossed home plate. Tomita scored via an infield fly double-play, while Mendoza’s double down the left field line plated Kraft and gave GCU the 2-1 lead.

GCU gave themselves a two-run cushion when Steven Swingle connected for an RBI single to score Pomeroy in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Coley Bruns improved to 3-0 on the season after allowing just 1 run on 4 hits and a walk with 4 strikeouts over 6.0 innings. Mark Jarrett converted his second save with a scoreless seventh inning. For the Sea Lions, Justin Lawrence was tabbed with his second loss after allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks with 7 strikeouts in 6.0 innings.

Opposite of the first game, the ‘Lopes were the first to score in the second contest, when Kraft plated Kyle Raidy with a 2-out single to left field. GCU tacked on another run in the bottom of the fourth inning after the first two batters reached via singles to left field. Mendoza came around to score on the third base hit to the left side off the bat of Griffiths.

Raidy led off the fifth inning with a triple to left-center and scored on Kraft’s RBI single the next at-bat to extend GCU’s lead to 3-0. The ‘Lopes added four more runs all without recording an out as pinch-runner Ryan Moore, Seth Fretheim, Pomeroy, and Mendoza all crossed home plate. Garrett Jeffries scored the sixth run of the frame on a sacrifice fly from Paul Panaccione and Griffiths and Chris Lindmark tallied the last two runs of the inning on an error by the second baseman.

“Kyle had a terrific day and a good couple days over the weekend, which is great to see,” said Stankiewicz. “He can be a factor, both on the bases and running down balls in the outfield. He played some good baseball over the weekend.”

Trent Wilson picked up his second win of the season after holding the Sea Lions scoreless over 4.2 innings, with 4 hits and a walk with 2 strikeouts. Brandon Bonilla and Kevin Behnke combined to toss 1.1 scoreless and hitless innings of relief.

The ‘Lopes will now hit the road for their first set of games away from Brazell Stadium. GCU will take on Hawai’i Hilo for a four-game set beginning on Friday, March 15 and then play Hawai’i Pacific in four games on March 20 and 21. Fans can follow the action by visiting www.gculopes.com.

GCU 3, PLNU 1
GCU 10, PLNU 0