Baseball Bounces Back with Doubleheader Sweep of Omaha

Saturday, March 8

Brazell Stadium

12:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

5-8

Omaha

5-5

Omaha

Grand Canyon

David Walker had 6 hits and 5 runs scored in today's doubleheader sweep of Omaha

Photo by: Theon Carrier

Baseball Bounces Back with Doubleheader Sweep of Omaha

3/8/2014 5:59:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Outscore the Mavericks 23-2 over the two games

A day after being shutout for the first time this season, the Grand Canyon University baseball team (6-8) responded in big fashion, sweeping their doubleheader over Omaha (5-6) today at Brazell Stadium. The Antelopes combined for 23 runs over the two games while surrendering just two to the Mavericks.

GCU won the first game, 9-2, and were in complete control of the second en route to blanking the Mavericks 14-0 in a contest that was stopped after 7.0 innings.

After allowing two runs in the first inning of today's first game, GCU pitchers combined to toss 15.0 scoreless frames, allowing just seven hits total on the day. Conversely, GCU's offense came alive, as they collected 25 hits.

"Early on in the first game, it looked like it might be a carryover from last night's game as far as not swinging the bats well," said head coach Andy Stankiewicz. "We got the hit by pitch, and a single to fall in there, and it kind of steam rolled from there. We are starting to play our game and putting pressure on their defense. The guys are starting to see that that approach can work for us."

Andrew Naderer (2-2) came just two outs away from his first complete game of the season, but earned the win in the first game after allowing just two runs on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts over 8.1 innings. Malcolm Purdy came in relief of Naderer and induced a double play to end the game.

"Andrew is getting better," Stankiewicz said. "He is starting to settle in. What impressed me was that he gave up two runs in the first, and that could have affected him and made him anxious. But it didn't, and he continued to fight and we battled our way back in the game."

Michael Pomeroy was one of three GCU players with two hits and also accounted for two RBI. David Walker and Chad De La Guerra also collected two hits in the first game. Both Chris Lindmark and Walker scored twice.

The Mavericks jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after the first two batters reached on a walk and double to open the game. Both came around to score on a groundout and sacrifice fly.

GCU got their first baserunner on in the bottom of the fifth inning after Charles Wagner was hit by a pitch. He was moved to second on the first hit of the game for the 'Lopes, a single to center field off the bat of Matt Haggerty. That kick started what would become a five-run inning for GCU, all of which scored with two outs on the board.

Following Haggerty's single, Pomeroy singled to load the bases. With two outs on the board, Lindmark knotted the score at two with a single to center field to score Wagner and Haggerty. Walker scored Pomeroy on an infield single and Lindmark crossed home on an error by the first baseman. Walker represented the final GCU run of the frame after De La Guerra singled to left field.

The 'Lopes weren't done there, as they tacked on four more runs in the seventh inning. The first four batters reached base and all came around to score on a series of singles, an error, and a sacrifice fly.

"It was good to see that we were able to jump out there in those late innings of the first game and put together some good at-bats," added Stankiewicz.

It was GCU's turn to jump out to an early lead in the day's second game, and they did so in big fashion by scoring eight runs on seven hits as the 'Lopes had 12 plate appearances in the first inning. Included within the big frame was Haggerty's second home run of the season, this one a three-run shot over the left field fence.

Humberto Aranda, who got the start behind the plate, plated the first run in GCU's eight-run first inning, while Jon Kealoha, Walker, and Paul Panaccione also collected RBIs in the frame.

The 'Lopes added two runs in the third, again with two outs on the board, and made it 14-0 with four runs in the fifth. That total marks their highest for runs scored this season, as does the 16 hits.

Walker went 4-for-4 in the second game with three runs scored, bringing his total for the day to six hits and five runs. Aranda also went 4-for-4 in the second contest, while Wagner recorded a multi-hit game at 2-for-4.

"Right out of the box, it was great to see the guys continue what they had started in the first game," Stankiewicz said.

Freshman left-hander Ethan Evanko (2-1) got the starting nod for game two, and tossed 6.0 scoreless frames while collecting a career-best seven strikeouts. He allowed just four hits without issuing a walk. Zebastian Valenzuela tossed a perfect 1-2-3 seventh inning as the game was halted at that point.

"Ethan is maturing and starting to grow up as a pitcher and that was a very good outing by him," Stankiewicz added. "He attacked the zone and threw strikes."

"It is hard to win two games in one day in baseball," Stankiewicz explained. "Doubleheaders typically end up with a split. We feel really good about having Coley (Bruns) on the mound tomorrow and hopefully he will carry over the momentum from today."

The 'Lopes will conclude their series with the Mavericks tomorrow with first pitch slated for 12:30 p.m. at Brazell Stadium. Fans can follow the action via live stats by visiting www.gculopes.com.

GCU 9, Omaha 2
GCU 14, Omaha 0 (7.0 innings)