Lerouge's walk-off clinches series for GCU

Sunday, March 13

Phoenix, Ariz.

12 P.M.

Grand Canyon

10-5

Cal Poly

11-5

Cal Poly

Grand Canyon

3/13/2016 2:59:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon baseball team had its first walk off this season in a thriller against Cal Poly. For six innings the game was scoreless and, in the final three innings, five runs were scored. Scoring the final run was Tyler Wyatt off a Thomas Lerouge double, giving GCU the 3-2 win. The Lopes took the series from the Mustangs, 2-1, and improved to 10-5 on the season.

"I saw a fastball up and out so it was a good pitch to attack and do some damage," Lerouge said, describing the game-winning hit. "I was hoping it was going to go over the wall, but I will take a double. Cal Poly is a good squad, but this week was big for us because it showed how tough we are."

Wyatt found himself on second base with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, and Lerouge stepped to the plate with the game on the line. The sophomore didn't waste any time, hitting the first pitch he saw to left field, nearly clearing the wall for a home run. Wyatt would score easily from second base for GCU's second straight series victory.

Both pitchers found their groove early in the game as Jake Repavich and Erich Uelman started the game with six scoreless innings, combining for seven strikeouts and seven hits. The top of GCU's lineup stepped up big as the first three in the lineup went 9-for-13 at the plate with all three RBI and one run scored.

The Lopes' best opportunity to jump on the scoreboard was in the bottom of the sixth inning, loading the bases. Greg Saenz was unable to produce a hit, however, leaving the game scoreless. Cal Poly followed up by loading the bases themselves in the top of the seventh with two outs. Against his final batter of the game, Repavich forced Kyle Mariconz to hit into a fielder's choice, with Alex McKenna out at second base, keeping the game scoreless.

In three of his four starts this season, Repavich has gone seven innings and, against the Mustangs, the lefty threw a season-high 104 pitches, leaving the game in a scoreless tie.

"I was just trying to get ahead of every batter and get the first batter out," Repavich said. "Coach Choate talks about jumping ahead and being aggressive so I was just following the game plan. I love Sunday starts because I love that pressure of taking the series and I am glad we were able to come out with the win."

After Cal Poly left three runners stranded in the seventh, GCU made it pay in the bottom half of the inning by jumping on the scoreboard to take the lead. Krysthian Leal got things started with a pinch-hit double with one out. After Griffin Barnes struck out, it was up to Thomas Lerouge with two outs and the sophomore delivered. Lerouge singled up the middle, scoring Leal from second base to give GCU the 1-0 lead. Austin Bull followed Lerouge's lead with a double to right field, scoring Lerouge to add some insurance for GCU.

The Mustangs made a comeback, scoring a run in the eighth inning to trail by just one run. With runners on the corners with no outs, Brett Binning hit into a double play but John Schuknecht scored, tying the game at 2.

GCU has a quick turnaround as it will face New Mexico starting Tuesday, March 15, for a two-game series against the Lobos at Brazell Stadium.