GCU clinches series with Pacific

Saturday, March 7

Phoenix, Ariz.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

9-6

Pacific

7-8

Pacific

Grand Canyon

3/7/2020 5:23:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Colato stays hot with 2 more home runs; Lopes score 10

By: Jerob Moon

After scoring 12 runs on 15 hits on Friday night, the Grand Canyon bats were once again strong against Pacific on Saturday with a 10-5 win to clinch the series.

GCU (9-6) tallied double-digit hits and runs in back-to-back games for the first time this season and was led offensively by junior Juan Colato who hit a pair of two-run home runs with four RBIs from both sides of the plate.

As a team, the Lopes have scored 22 runs on 28 hits — more runs scored than in the previous seven games played combined.

After Pacific (7-8) scored in the top of the first, GCU put up a six spot in the bottom of the third to blow open the game. Four of the six GCU base hits in the inning went for extra bases, including home runs by Colato and sophomore Nick Hansen, and consecutive doubles by second baseman Drew Smith and designated hitter Dominic Grissom. Center fielder Brock Burton chipped in with his own two-RBI single.

The Lopes added four insurance runs in the sixth and seventh innings after Pacific trimmed the lead to 6-5. Channy Ortiz hit a double into left field that scored David Avitia moments before Colato's second home run of the day. Avitia tacked on an RBI single of his own in the seventh.

Burton enjoyed his second straight three-hit game, while Hansen hit a home run in back-to-back games for the first time in his career. Colato, Ortiz and Avitia each recorded two base hits.

Right-hander Dawson McCarville started the game for GCU and lasted four innings, surrendering eight hits and four runs and earned a no decision. The Lopes' bullpen backed up McCarville, with four pitchers combining to allow five hits and one run in the final five innings with Cole Hoskins picking up his first win of the season.

The Lopes look for their first series sweep of the season on Sunday afternoon against the Tigers. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. at GCU Ballpark.