GCU drops 6-5 nail biter to Lobos

Wednesday, March 16

Phoenix, Ariz.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

10-7

New Mexico

10-6

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
New Mexico	1	1	2	0	0	1	1	0	0	6	6	2
Grand Canyon	1	0	0	0	2	1	0	1	0	5	11	1

3/16/2016 5:14:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Steven Gonzalez

PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon baseball team closed its two-game with series with New Mexico at Brazell Stadium Wednesday. The Lobos took an early lead but the Lopes continued to battle, making it a one-run game but the Lopes could never get over the hump, dropping the 6-5 game to the Lobos. GCU is now 10-7 this season.

"We gave up too many early runs with too many walks and hits," head coach Andy Stankiewicz said. "That is a good team and we gave them too many freebies and we have to tighten that up."

Paul Panaccione picked up his team-leading 16th RBI of the season, with his sixth double of the season, scoring Thomas Lerouge to tie the game at 1-1. New Mexico scored at least one run in the first three innings, jumping out to a 4-1 lead.

New Mexico continued to see its lead dwindle when Panaccione added his second RBI of the game with a single down the left side, scoring Austin Bull. GCU scored a second run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Bull stole third base and scored off a throwing error by the catcher to trail by one run.

The Lopes turned to a group of freshman pitchers as Justin Revels made his first career start. After Revels, Gabe Benavides came in for relief and had a quality outing, throwing 2.1 innings allowing just one hit, keeping the Lobos scoreless.

New Mexico tacked on another run in the sixth, extending its lead to 5-3 but once again the Lopes stayed close by getting a run back in the bottom of the sixth inning. Brandon Smith brought in Preston Pavlica on a sacrifice fly scoring his 11th RBI of the season to trail New Mexico 5-4.

"I like the way we finished but we fell short," Stankiewicz said. "There is no such thing as moral victories but now we have to regroup and get on a plane to head to Houston."

After the Lobos homered in the seventh, the Lopes continued to fight their way back, keeping it a one-run game. In the bottom of the eighth, Tyler Wyatt came into pinch hit and singled up the middle, scoring Pavlica to trail UNM 6-5.

The Lopes have a quick turnaround as they hit the road for their first series on the road against Houston. The three-game series will begin on Friday, March 18, at Darryl & Lori Schroeder Park beginning at 5:30 in Arizona.