GCU rallies, drops tight decision

Tuesday, April 30

Albuquerque, N.M. / Santa Ana Star Field

5 p.m.

Grand Canyon

24-19

New Mexico

20-23-1

Grand Canyon

New Mexico

Photo by: Josh Hauser

4/30/2019 9:20:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Lopes plate 5 in 6th to erase early hole

By: Josh Hauser

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Grand Canyon scored five runs in the sixth inning to erase a five-run deficit and had the go-ahead runner in scoring position in the ninth before losing 9-8 to New Mexico on Tuesday night to open a two-game series.

GCU's rally peaked when the Lopes (24-19) drew a pair of walks to open the sixth and junior Kona Quiggle made them count. The GCU left fielder tripled down the right-field line to score two runs and bring the Lopes within a run of the Lobos (20-23-1) at 7-6. Sophomore first baseman Cuba Bess productively grounded out to the right side to score Quiggle and bring the Lopes even.

An inning later, however, New Mexico regained its lead with a pair of runs. A leadoff walk proved costly as back-to-back, two-out hits produced runs and a 9-7 Lobos lead.

Hitting the comeback trail, GCU freshman shortstop Jonny Weaver opened the eighth with a double. Quiggle's third RBI of the night scored Weaver on a sacrifice fly as GCU narrowed the deficit to one.

To open the ninth, Lopes senior third baseman Tyler Wyatt had the best struck ball of the game on a liner to deep left, but it was tracked down on a strong defensive play. GCU's luck in the inning evened out when freshman designated hitter C.J. Schauwecker reached on New Mexico's fourth error of the game. Senior center fielder Preston Pavlica singled up the middle and stole second base to get a pair of runners in scoring position with two outs. GCU's eighth strikeout of the night ended the threat with the tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position.

Although the Lopes struck first on an RBI ground out in the second inning, New Mexico built a sizable lead with six runs in the second, third and fourth innings. A double-play ball that should have capped New Mexico's second inning at one run was undone by an errant throw that cost two additional runs. A two-out double scored the Lobos' lone run of the third. A walk and a hit batsman allowed another two-out knock to score a pair in the fourth.

Seven of New Mexico's nine runs came with two outs.

GCU did not take full advantage of the Lobos' sloppy defensive night, stranding 11 men on base.

Lopes freshman pitcher Brodie Cooper-Vassalakis worked the first four innings but walked five and hit a batter. He received a no decision after GCU's sixth-inning rally. Senior Nick Ohanian and sophomore Zach Barnes combined for four relief innings, each allowing one run. Ohanian struck out three but walked two.

With a seven-game win streak snapped, the Lopes will look to get back in the win column in Wednesday's finale at noon (Phoenix time). GCU's next victory will be its 2,000th in program history.