Lopes match Titans in hits, fall in finale

Sunday, March 18

Fullerton, Calif.

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

6-12

Cal State Fullerton

7-10

Grand Canyon

Cal State Fullerton

Photo by: David Cohen

3/18/2018 4:31:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

GCU strands tying run on base in ninth

By: Josh Hauser

FULLERTON, Calif. - Grand Canyon limited Cal State Fullerton to just two runs in Sunday's series finale, but the Lopes were shut out for the first time in 2018 in a 2-0 loss at Goodwin Field. GCU stranded the tying run on base in the final frame.

GCU's pitching staff of Jake Repavich, Ethan Evanko and Mick Vorhof combined to limit the Titans to two runs on seven hits, both lows for the three-game series. For the second time this season, the Lopes did not walk an opposing batter.

"No walks," pitching coach Rich Dorman emphasized. "[Our pitchers] executed really well today. We did a better job executing and made [Cal State Fullerton] earn it today."

Repavich tossed 4.1 innings and reached the 90-pitch mark for the first time this season, continuing to work his way back from offseason injury.

"His stuff is getting sharp and more crisp," Dorman said. "He's better down in the zone. He's getting his timing back."

Quin Cotton was one of two GCU players to have a multi-hit game. Cotton finished an outstanding week going 10-for-17 (.588) with six RBIs and two stolen bases. Pikai Winchester also had two hits in Sunday's game.

Despite being held scoreless, the Lopes weren't without scoring opportunities. In the first, Winchester and Cotton singled to put a runner in scoring position with one out. In the fourth, GCU had the bases loaded with one out. In the decisive ninth inning, the first two batters reached for the Lopes but Fullerton came back to record the final three outs in order.

The Titans did their scoring via an RBI groundout in the third inning and an RBI single in the fifth.

Grand Canyon returns home to Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark for five games in a six-day span. The Lopes will play Kansas for the fifth consecutive season, hosting the Jayhawks in a Tuesday-Wednesday mid-week series. GCU will then open Western Athletic Conference play with a weekend series against Chicago State.