GCU Wins Series Finale Over Hofstra

Sunday, February 23

Brazell Stadium

10 a.m.

Grand Canyon

4-4

Hofstra

1-3

Hofstra

Grand Canyon

Michael Pomeroy had 2 hits in GCU's series-finale win over Hofstra

Photo by: Theon Carrier

2/23/2014 1:10:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Head to Texas next weekend for three-game series at Abilene Christian

The Grand Canyon University baseball team (4-4) today cemented the series win over visiting Hofstra University (1-3) with a 9-2 victory at Brazell Stadium in the series finale. Over the course of four games against the Pride, the Antelopes collected 32 runs.

Ethan Evanko got the starting nod on the mound for GCU, allowing just two runs on four hits and three walks with two strikeouts over 6.0 innings to get the win and even his record at 1-1. Kyle Detwiler (1.0 IP) and Trent Wilson (2.0 IP) combined for three scoreless innings of relief, allowing just one hit in that time.

"Ethan had a great outing today," said head coach Andy Stankiewicz. "He threw strikes, which is what he has done all fall. He is not afraid to throw a fastball in on a right-handed hitter. His breaking ball was working well to the lefties. His job is to throw strikes and let us play defense behind him. And we had a good defensive day. That is a successful formula when we can do those things."

As he has done all weekend, Chad De La Guerra was a force to be reckoned with at the plate, going 2-for-5 with a double. Humberto Aranda was a home run shy of the cycle after collecting a single in the second, a triple in the fourth, and a double in the seventh. He also had two runs and two RBI in today's game.

David Walker, Michael Pomeroy, and Ben Mauseth joined their teammates with a multi-hit game, as each had two.

The 'Lopes scored in four of the first five innings and led 8-0 before allowing two runs to the Pride in the top of the sixth. GCU tacked on another run in the eighth as they picked up their third double-digit hitting game of the series with 14.

"We had a couple of innings where we had to be who we are, which his putting the ball on the ground," Stankiewicz added. "We have guys who are fast enough to get those infield hits. Every time you can add on runs as you get later in the game, you are making it more difficult for the opponent."

"It was good to see Chad consistently swinging the bat well," said Stankiewicz. "Humberto came in to our program as a defensive guy, but he has shown that he has some offense in his game as well. It was good to see him have a nice day."

Walker drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the first inning, moved to third on De La Guerra's double down the right field line, and scored via a Matt Haggerty groundout to shortstop to give the 'Lopes an 1-0 lead.

The following frame, Mauseth singled to open the inning and score two batters later on an RBI single from Aranda, who himself scored on Walker's double to left field to make it 3-0.

The 'Lopes added a total of five runs in the fourth and fifth innings, beginning Aranda and Josh Ethier each plating a run for GCU in the fourth. Mauseth and Brandon Smith picked up an RBI apiece in the three-run fifth, while the final run came across on a wild pitch.

GCU's final run of the game was scored by Walker, who led off the frame with a single to left field. He moved to second on De La Guerra's single to right field and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Pomeroy.

GCU will hit the road for their next series when they take on Abilene Christian, a fellow Division I transitioning school, in Abilene, Texas from Feb. 28-March 2. Fans can follow the action live by visiting www.gculopes.com.

"I know that Abilene Christian has historically had a good program," Stankiewicz said. "They have some baseball players down in Texas. They will be competitive. They are like us – they are trying to establish themselves as a Division I program. It should be a pretty competitive weekend."

GCU 9, Hofstra 2