Lopes ring in season with big win

Friday, February 15

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

1-0

Wichita State

0-1

Wichita State

Grand Canyon

2/15/2019 9:44:00 PM | Baseball

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4,562 fans enjoy biggest Lopes opening-day win since 2004

By: Josh Hauser

The stage was set for a memorable opening night: a Grand Canyon record of 4,562 fans, the debut of Phase II of stadium construction, a Brazell family first pitch and a third-base line full of current and former professional baseball players.

The fanfare of pregame festivities gave way to on-field success as the GCU baseball team defeated Wichita State 9-1 at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark. The eight-run victory marked the largest opening-day win since a 21-0 thrashing of Westmont in 2004.

"It was exciting," Lopes head coach Andy Stankiewicz said. "Opening night is always great. There's a lot of adrenaline moving."

The adrenaline was certainly moving for GCU junior pitcher Kade Mechals, who made the start in his first Division I appearance. Unfazed by the environment, he recorded all three first-inning outs via the strikeout.

"I felt really good," Mechals said. "A lot of my stuff was working. I just trusted in my defense and tried to make pitches. It makes it easy when you trust your defense. They're always making plays behind me so it just makes my life a lot easier and gives me confidence to pound the zone."

Mechals tossed six innings of shutout baseball, using 90 pitches and scattering four hits while striking out nine batters.

"It all started with Kade Mechals, just a fantastic performance on the mound," Stankiewicz said.

Mechals struck out the side in the fourth inning and ended his night with his ninth and final strikeout to strand two runners in the sixth.

Offensively, the Lopes pounded out 12 hits and scratched across six runs in the first three innings. Junior first baseman Kona Quiggle was an early offensive catalyst, recording a triple and a home run in his first two at bats of the season.

"It's always good to help your team," Quiggle said. "I just went up there trying to get on base for the guys behind me. I'm feeling good. It's a long season ahead of us but tonight is fun."

Quiggle opened the second inning with a triple to right-center, sparking an inning that netted GCU four runs to break open the game. Preston Pavlica, Marc Mumper, Pikai Winchester and Cuba Bess each picked up a single in the four-run, five-hit frame. Bess' hit scored a pair of runs.

"We just put some good at bats together," Stankiewicz said. "Just kind of get the next guy to the plate, next guy to the plate. I'm excited for all the guys."

The Lopes continued to add insurance runs, largely thanks to a two-run double by Winchester in the sixth.

Mechals picked up the win while junior reliever Cole Hoskins recorded a three-inning save in his Lopes debut.

GCU returns to the diamond Saturday for a doubleheader split between two venues. The Lopes open the day against Ball State at GCU Ballpark at 11 a.m. before making an afternoon trip to Tempe Diablo Stadium for a 4 p.m. rematch with the Shockers.