Baseball welcomes back former players in annual alumni game
2/13/2016 3:21:00 PM | Baseball
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By: Josh Hauser
The Grand Canyon baseball program took another step towards opening up the 2016 season with the holding of its Alumni Game on Saturday afternoon at Brazell Stadium. The annual event features an exhibition game between the current Grand Canyon baseball team and a host of GCU Baseball alumni, ranging from last year's graduates all the way back to players from the 1970s.
Although the event served as a good dress rehearsal for head coach Andy Stankiewicz's 2016 club, the intent of the event is to bring back baseball alumni from years past for a time of entertainment and reconnecting.
"This day is about the alumni more than anything else. It's about those guys on the other side," Stankiewicz said from the 2016 squad's dugout. "Let them have their day and let them come together and visit with one another, build relationships and have a good time. The alumni game is always fun and its always a good time. It's great to see the guys again."
Recent GCU alumni in uniform were David Walker, Chad De La Guerra and Michael Pomeroy. Pomeroy flashed the leather at first base on several occasions for the alumni, bringing back the memories of his days as a National Gold Glove Award winner at first base during his time at Grand Canyon. Walker was manning the outfield for the alumni squad and had an enjoyable time in the alumni dugout just one year removed from being a member of the Lopes.
"It's pretty fun. It's definitely a fun time," Walker said. "It's good to be out here with other guys as well, meet some new people."
 Dr. Dave Brazell chats with former GCU Baseball players at the Alumni Game on Feb. 13.In addition to the former players in attendance, the founder of GCU Baseball and the namesake of the ballpark, Dr. Dave Brazell, returned as well. Brazell got a huge ovation from the fans in attendance.
Sophomore Jake Repavich, who was recently named to the All-WAC Preseason Team, took the hill for the current GCU squad and was sharp from the getgo, including three strikeouts in the first inning. Offensively, this year's Lopes got off to a hot start with Paul Panaccione, Krysthian Leal and Garrison Schwartz opening the game with three straight hits. A handful of new faces were able to get in on the action for GCU as well including Tyler Wyatt and Preston Pavlica who both put some power on display from the plate.
"We do want to compete and put some nice at bats together," Stankiewicz said. "Our guys have done a nice job competing out there. We got some innings for some of our younger guys too."
After a brief 1-1 tie in the early stages of the game, the younger bodies prevailed. This was a welcomed sight for Walker, who was pleased to see the 2016 team pull away early.
"I think they did a lot better than we did last year," Walker said. "Last year it was like a 4-3 game, a little too close. This year the young guys put us away pretty quick."
Grand Canyon opens the 2016 campaign with a four-game set vs. Gonzaga at Brazell Stadium beginning on Friday. Stankiewicz was pleased with the preparation of the team with opening day less than a week away.
"It's good just to kind of get a dress rehearsal for us," Stankiewicz said. "We got in some batting practice, infield/outfield, getting guys to understand the sequence of events leading into a game. It's good in that respect."
First pitch for Friday's season opener is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcasted on Cox 7 Arizona on the television side, and KXXT 1010 AM on the radio.
