Lopes fall 10-9 in midweek finale

Wednesday, March 11

Fayetteville, Ark.

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

9-9

Arkansas

11-5

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Grand Canyon	2	1	0	0	2	0	4	0	0	9	12	1
Arkansas	3	3	0	0	0	4	0	0	X	10	11	1

Photo by: Rhett Hutchins

3/11/2020 5:22:00 PM | Baseball

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GCU outhits Arkansas; Colato, Weaver hit home runs

By: Jerob Moon

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In a game that came down to the final out, Grand Canyon fell 10-9 at No. 14 Arkansas on Wednesday to wrap up a midweek series.

With one out and the tying run on second base and the go-ahead run on first base in the top of the ninth inning, GCU hit into a double play that ended the game on a bang-bang play that withstood a replay review.

It was a bullpen day for both teams with the Lopes (9-9) using five pitchers and the Razorbacks (11-5) using eight. Both starters didn't last beyond the second inning with GCU scoring three runs off Arkansas' Kevin Klopps while Lopes starter Zach Barnes surrendered six runs on five hits.

GCU showed off its strength at the plate, outhitting Arkansas 12-11 with home runs by junior left fielder Juan Colato and sophomore third baseman Jonny Weaver.

The Lopes showed resiliency, trimming the Razorbacks lead to one run on two occasions. After falling behind 6-3 after two innings, GCU scored two runs on RBI singles by junior first baseman Cuba Bess and sophomore center fielder Brock Burton in the fifth to trail 6-5.

Arkansas responded with a four-run sixth inning, but GCU came back with a four-run inning in the seventh. An RBI walk by Bess followed by a two-run single by junior catcher David Avitia and an RBI single by Weaver cut the Arkansas lead to 10-9.

GCU got on the scoreboard first with Colato's fourth home run in the last five games. His two-run shot gave the Lopes an early 2-0 lead, and he was followed by Weaver's first career home run in the second when he turned on a pitch and hit it into the left-field stands for a 3-3 tie.

GCU relievers Coen Wynne, Nick Hull and Frankie Scalzo all had scoreless appearances while Burton, Colato, Weaver, junior shortstop Channy Ortiz and junior second baseman Drew Smith each had two-hit games.

The Lopes head to Waco, Texas, for a three-game weekend series at Baylor.