GCU blanked for 1st time

Saturday, March 23

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

11-11, 1-1

California Baptist

15-8, 1-1

California Baptist

Grand Canyon

3/23/2019 7:50:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Lopes, Lancers to play for series win Sunday

By: Josh Hauser

An uncharacteristically slow performance from the Grand Canyon offense led to an 8-0 California Baptist win on Saturday night at GCU Ballpark in a game that was much closer than the final score indicated.

Lopes freshman Pierson Ohl posted his best start, allowing just three hits and one run on a solo homer. The right-hander tossed six innings and struck out five while being handed the tough-luck loss.

Clocking in at one minute over two hours, the fastest game of the season resulted in the Lopes being shut out for the first time in 2019.

The Lancers (15-8, 1-1 WAC) struck for seven runs in the top of the ninth to blow the game open after clinging to a 1-0 lead following the fifth inning.

GCU (11-11, 1-1 WAC) had its best chance to match California Baptist in the sixth inning when senior shortstop Marc Mumper and junior right fielder Quin Cotton each reached base to begin the frame. The Lopes' rally was stopped in its tracks after a strikeout, fly out and strikeout.

The Lopes defense did its best to ensure CBU stayed within reach by rolling a double play to end the eighth and prevent a run from scoring. But GCU went quietly in the eighth before the Lancers' ninth-inning outburst.

Senior third baseman Tyler Wyatt and Mumper were the lone GCU batters to come away with base hits.

CBU junior pitcher Logan Rinehart stymied the Lopes offense through five no-hit innings. In his first start in over a month, he was pulled through five and GCU promptly broke up the no-hitter on the reliever's first pitch.

After the two teams have traded shutouts, Sunday will bring a rubber match between the two squads. First pitch is set for noon from Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark.