Long ball keys doubleheader sweep

Saturday, March 20

Phoenix, Ariz.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

7-9-1, 4-2

Seattle U

5-10, 0-2

Seattle U

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Garrett Ohrenberg

3/20/2021 8:41:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Lopes hit 4 home runs against Seattle U

By: Jerob Moon

The Grand Canyon baseball team won both games in a doubleheader against Seattle U on Saturday at GCU Ballpark.

The Lopes (8-9-1, 5-2 WAC) hit four home runs and scored 18 runs while extending their winning streak to four games. GCU sophomore outfielder Tayler Aguilar drove in five runs and recorded five hits, including two home runs, while junior starter Pierson Ohl threw a complete game in Game 1.

Game 1

Ohl threw the second complete game of his career in a seven-inning game, striking out seven while allowing two runs with no walks. The Lopes backed up Ohl with a three-run fourth inning and a five-run sixth inning.

"That's big," GCU head coach Andy Stankiewicz said. "When you play a doubleheader, you need quality starts and Pierson being able to give us seven with a complete game, we needed that. Great job by Pierson. I don't think his stuff was as sharp as we've seen it before, but he's a great competitor who puts himself in good positions to have success."

Aguilar gave the Lopes their first lead in the fourth with a two-run home run to right field. GCU freshman outfielder Cade Verdusco added another run on an RBI single, scoring Channy Ortiz four at bats later.

That three-run lead was all Ohl needed to finish, but the Lopes weren't done scoring. Thye added five more run in the sixth, highlighted by junior second baseman Juan Colato's three-run home run to the right-field visiting bullpen.

"Tayler swung the bat well and that's big for us," Stankiewicz added. "He's a big, strong hitter and now it looks like he's gaining confidence."

Lopes shortstop Channy Ortiz recorded his sixth multi-hit game, adding three hits and three RBIs.

Game 2

Ohl's complete game proved to be vital because the Lopes leaned on their bullpen in a back-and-forth nightcap.

GCU sophomore left-hander Cal Lambert started his first game for this season but lasted 2 2/3 innings after allowing four runs on six hits.

Aguilar kept a hot bat with a RBI single in the first, when the Lopes jumped out to a 2-0 lead. It wouldn't last long as the Redhawks (5-11, 0-3 WAC) added a run in the second and three more in the third for a 4-2 lead.

The Lopes answered with a three-run third off Aguilar's second home run of the day and an infield RBI single that was the first of three hits by freshman third baseman Elijah Buries. GCU led 5-4, but Seattle U answered again with three runs in the fourth to lead 7-5.

Trailing 8-5 in the sixth, Lopes freshman desginated hitter Ryland Zaborowski doubled in Buries and scored later on a sacrifice fly by senior pinch-hitter Dominic Grissom to pull within a run.

In the eighth, GCU senior center fielder Brock Burton smacked a go-ahead two-run home run to right field to give the Lopes a 9-8 lead. Senior Frankie Scalzo picked up the last three outs for his third save of the season.

"We talk about being able to punch back, just stay in it and don't panic while continuing to put ABs together," Stankiewicz said. "I was really proud of the ability to answer back. They had a couple of good innings where they swung the bats well, but we were able to close the gap and get ourselves in striking distance. Brock stepped up in the eighth and put a good swing on one to help us get the lead."

Buries and Aguilar each recorded three-hit games in back-to-back lineup spots while Verdusco added two hits batting second.

Senior Nick Hull earned the win out of the bullpen with 2 2/3 shutout innings and two strikeouts.

The Lopes will look to complete the sweep Sunday with an 11 a.m. first pitch at GCU Ballpark.