Leal, Bull lead Lopes' charge in GCU Classic finale

Sunday, February 28

Phoenix, Ariz.

3 P.M.

Grand Canyon

5-3

Saint Mary's

5-3

Saint Mary's (CA)

Grand Canyon

2/28/2016 6:41:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

PHOENIX – After taking part in four games played this weekend at Brazell Stadium, the Grand Canyon baseball team wrapped up the GCU Classic against Saint Mary's. The Lopes capped off a 3-1 weekend, defeating the Gaels 8-3 led by Krysthian Leal going 3-3 at the plate with three RBI's and scoring two runs.

"I was just trying to put the ball in play and get some good swings, some level swings," Leal said. "We'd like to go 4-0 on the weekend but we'll take 3-1. Overall we played really well but we can still get better."

The Lopes did their damage at the bottom of the lineup in the 7-8 spot as Leal and Austin Bull combined to hit 7-7 with four RBI's and two runs scored.

"Austin and Krysthian do a great job of understanding who they are as hitters," Stankiewicz said. "They do a good job of just putting the ball in play and hitting line drives. To get that kind of production out of your No. 7 and 8 spots in the lineup is great to see. That was the turning point."

With runners on first and second with two outs in the third inning, Thomas Lerouge hit to second base but SMC's second baseman threw an error to the shortstop, allowing Krysthian Leal to score all the way from second base to put GCU up 1-0.

In his second career start, Tyler Wyatt went four innings, allowing two runs with one strikeout. The Gaels were able to get to GCU's bullpen to load the bases and Anthony Villa doubled to left center, clearing the bases to put SMC up 3-1.

Leal scored for the second time when Bull doubled to left field, cutting the Gaels' lead to 3-2. The Lopes turned the corner in the sixth inning when Wyatt recorded his first career double, scoring Garrison Schwartz to tie the game. GCU didn't stop there as they took the lead when once again Leal made an impact on the game, singling to right field, scoring Zach Malis and Wyatt, putting GCU up 5-3.

Saint Mary's looked poised to put some runs on the board in the seventh inning with runners on first and second with no outs. Jaren Drummond came in for relief for the Lopes and erased all the momentum Saint Mary's had, recording the first out with a fielder's choice at third base and striking out Nate Olen for the second out. Joey Fiske would single to right field, thinking that would score Ian McLoughlin from second base but Schwartz would throw out McLoughlin at home, keeping GCU's 5-3 lead at bay.

GCU added some insurance in the bottom of the seventh as Schwartz got the scoring started, doubling to right center, bringing in Panaccione. Brand Smith hit a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Schwartz and Leal capped off a three-run inning, scoring Malis.

The Lopes finished the GCU Classic with a 3-1 record with their lone defeat coming at the hands of Tennessee. Grand Canyon defeated Central Michigan twice and Saint Mary's in Sunday's finale. The Lopes improved to 5-3 overall.

"It was a good tournament," Stankiewicz said. "In baseball, you're always trying to win a series. This was a big game for us. Saint Mary's is a good team who is going to make some noise in the West Coast Conference this year. It was big for us to not settle for a 2-2 split but take three games."

The Lopes continue their season-opening 11-game homestand with three games against Omaha over the weekend. First pitch between GCU and the Mavs is set for 7 p.m. MT in the series-opener on Friday night.