Conference play takes to the road at CSU Bakersfield

Friday, April 1

Bakersfield, Calif.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

CSU Bakersfield

3/30/2016 12:30:00 PM | Baseball

By: Josh Hauser

Friday, April 1 - 6 p.m.
	RHP Cameron Brendel 2-0, 6.20 ERA	RHP AJ Monarrez 1-3, 6.15 ERA
Live stats \| Live stream \| Radio broadcast (CSUB)
Saturday, April 2 - 6 p.m.
	LHP Jake Repavich 2-1, 2.09 ERA	RHP Andrew Hansen 1-4, 5.77 ERA
Live stats \| Live stream
Sunday, April 3 - 12 p.m.
	RHP Mick Vorhof 2-0, 2.40 ERA	RHP Chance Gusbeth 1-1, 6.38 ERA
Live stats \| WAC Digital Network \| Radio broadcast (CSUB)

PHOENIX -- The Grand Canyon baseball team looks to log its first conference series victory of the season as the Lopes head to Bakersfield, Calif. for a matchup with CSU Bakersfield. The Lopes and Roadrunners are set for a three-game series that opens on Friday at 6 p.m. The series continues on Saturday at 6 p.m. before finishing on Sunday at 12 p.m. Sunday's finale will be streamed on the WAC Digital Network.

LAST TIME OUT
The Lopes claimed an 11-inning WAC opener against Utah Valley last Thursday, but fell in a 12-inning contest on Friday and dropped Saturday's rubber match to lose the first conference series of the season.

Cameron Brendel tossed 8.0 scoreless innings on Thursday, but the Wolverines tied the game at one with a run in the ninth. Thomas Lerouge was the walk-off hero in the 11th, singling through the hole at short to score Marc Mumper from second base.

Despite out-hitting Utah Valley 15-12 on Friday, the Lopes could only manage four runs in a losing effort. GCU plated two runs in the bottom of the ninth to force extras, but allowed a UVU run in the top of the 12th.

In the rubber match, the visitors scored three runs in the seventh inning to break a 3-3 tie and claim the series 2-1.

SERIES HISTORY
Grand Canyon and CSU Bakersfield will meet for the third series with GCU claiming the previous two series, 2-1.

After dropping the opener in 2015, the Lopes rebounded to claim Games 2 and 3 in Phoenix and keep their WAC title hopes alive. In Game 2, GCU scored two runs late on a Ben Mauseth triple to take a 4-2 lead. In the finale, Grand Canyon scored all of six its runs in the 2nd-4th innings, and Mick Vorhof got the save as the Lopes took the series.

PITCHING PREVIEW
GCU will start Cameron Brendel, Jake Repavich and Mick Vorhof for the second straight weekend. Brendel is coming off the best start of his career, tossing 8.0 scoreless innings. Repavich and Vorhof both exited with a tie or one-run deficit and did not factor into decisions vs. UVU.

CSU Bakersfield will start three right-handers in AJ Monarrez, Andrew Hansen and Chance Gusbeth. Monarrez and Hansen will each start for the seventh time, while Gusbeth makes his fourth start. All starters feature ERAs of at least 5.75 heading into the weekend.

SCOUTING CSU BAKERSFIELD
The Roadrunners have lost nine games in a row, 17 of their last 18, and are searching for their first WAC win. CSUB began the 2016 campaign with a 4-2 record after series wins against CSU Northridge and St. John's. The 'Runners were swept by Seattle U in the first weekend of WAC play.

After winning the WAC Tournament in 2015 and advancing to the NCAA Tournament, the 'Runners were picked to finish fourth in the conference this season. To date, CSUB has a middle of the pack offense in the WAC, but the pitching has struggled to find its way. CSU Bakersfield ranks sixth in batting average (.264) and ninth in earned run average (6.40).

Junior outfielder Dustin Frailey leads CSUB's offensive charge, batting .356 (8th) while slugging .534 (4th) and posting a .466 on-base percentage (5th).

ON THE HORIZON
The Lopes won't wait long to resume play after this weekend's series in Bakersfield, returning to action at Brazell Stadium the following day on Monday. GCU will host UNLV after taking a game from the Rebels in Las Vegas last week. After the game with UNLV, Grand Canyon will host New Mexico State in a weekend WAC series in Phoenix.

For more news and notes on Grand Canyon Baseball, click on the 'GCU Game Notes' document above.