Grand Canyon tops Omaha behind late grand slam

Saturday, March 5

Phoenix, Ariz.

7 P.M.

Grand Canyon

6-4

Omaha

6-5

Omaha

Grand Canyon

3/5/2016 8:01:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: Josh Hauser

PHOENIX - A tight game through seven innings was broken wide open in the eighth, as the Lopes used a grand slam off the bat of Paul Panaccione to defeat Omaha 9-4 at Brazell Stadium on Saturday night. In the runaway eighth inning, GCU scored five runs on three hits to pull away and even the three-game series at one apiece.

"The fact that we were able to hold them scoreless for five straight innings, that was the difference maker," head coach Andy Stankiewicz said. "Paul had the big blow there at the end. It was good for us to turn the game in our favor towards the end."

After Omaha scored a pair of runs on two hits in the first inning, the Lopes didn't delay their run production. Thomas Lerouge drew a leadoff walk, went to third on a Panaccione double off the top of the outfield wall, and scored on a two-out single by Preston Pavlica.

In the third inning, GCU once again responded to Omaha's run with scoring of its own. Austin Bull singled and came into score on another two-out, RBI single by Pavlica. Through three innings, Grand Canyon posted six hits but had just two runs to show for it, trailing the Mavericks 3-2.

Lopes starter Ethan Evanko (1-1, 5.84 ERA) allowed three runs in the first three innings, but sharpened as the game wore on. Evanko tossed scoreless fourth, fifth and sixth innings, facing just one over the minimum, to bridge the gap to the bullpen.

"Ethan did a great job settling in. We need that out of him," Stankiewicz said. "He got in a little bit of trouble early and then just settled in and gave us some big innings."

The Lopes used single tallies in the fifth and sixth innings to take the lead. In the fifth, Panaccione scored the tying run on another RBI by Pavlica. Zach Malis scored the go-ahead run one inning later, crossing the plate on an RBI by Zach Stierstorfer.

"I was happy with Pavlica, he did a nice job," Stankiewicz said of GCU's left fielder, taking full advantage of his first career start. "We put together some great at bats down the stretch and were able to execute, getting some hits and laying down some bunts."

Zack McLeod tossed two scoreless innings for GCU, logging three strikeouts in the process. Justin Revels came in and held the Mavericks to one run in the ninth to secure the Lopes' victory.

"Zack came in there and did a great job," Stankiewicz said. "We're looking for someone to come out of the bullpen and give us competitive relief. He did a nice job. And then followed up by Justin Revels. A pair of freshmen grew up tonight and can feel good about themselves moving forward."

While Pavlica (two hits, three RBIs) and Panaccione (three hits, four RBIs) headlined the Grand Canyon offense, it was a balanced attack. The Lopes collected 13 hits from eight different players in the Game 2 win.

Sunday brings with it the first rubber match of the season for Grand Canyon. The Lopes and Mavericks will fight for a series victory beginning at 1 p.m. MT. GCU will start Jake Repavich (1-0, 0.00 ERA) while Omaha sends out Corey Binger (2-0, 2.70 ERA).