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Markl beats Arizona, UC Irvine; pitcher earns honor
2/28/2022 9:08:00 AM | Baseball
Lopes sophomore lefty tossed 10 innings, allowed 1 earned run in 2 wins
Grand Canyon sophomore left-handed pitcher Connor Markl was named WAC Pitcher of the Week on Monday. In starting and relief roles, Markl picked up road victories against 2021 NCAA tournament teams Arizona and UC Irvine.
Markl's week began with a starting assignment at No. 11 Arizona. He worked five innings, allowed only one unearned run on three hits, struck out eight and walked two. He was the winning pitcher as the Lopes dominated the Wildcats 19-3 in Tucson.
"It all starts on the mound," GCU head coach Andy Stankiewicz said following Tuesday's victory. "Connor came in and established it really well and did what we needed him to do. And when you see the job he did, it just carried over. We got some momentum and some good at bats together early and we were able to jump out in front."
Five days later, the Lopes turned to Markl in long relief. After UC Irvine recorded back-to-back triples to begin the home half of the fourth inning, Markl entered and faced the minimum by erasing a Lopes' fielding error with a double-play ball. He went on to pitch four additional innings, completing five innings in sum. Markl gave up only two hits, including a solo home run that accounted for the only earned run that he allowed all week. The sophomore struck out three and walked none.
"The performance that Connor put together today was extraordinary," Stankiewicz said on Sunday. "We needed that. He did a fantastic job. Five innings of work as a non-starter is huge. That's two good performances from him and he's making a statement. We know he wants the baseball in his hands and that's fun to watch."
Markl is the first GCU player to earn WAC weekly honors in the expanded conference. GCU claimed Hitter of the Week or Pitcher of the Week accolades on five occasions last year, including three times for pitchers.
GCU has four more games on deck in California this week, beginning with a Tuesday tilt at UC San Diego.
Markl's week began with a starting assignment at No. 11 Arizona. He worked five innings, allowed only one unearned run on three hits, struck out eight and walked two. He was the winning pitcher as the Lopes dominated the Wildcats 19-3 in Tucson.
"It all starts on the mound," GCU head coach Andy Stankiewicz said following Tuesday's victory. "Connor came in and established it really well and did what we needed him to do. And when you see the job he did, it just carried over. We got some momentum and some good at bats together early and we were able to jump out in front."
Five days later, the Lopes turned to Markl in long relief. After UC Irvine recorded back-to-back triples to begin the home half of the fourth inning, Markl entered and faced the minimum by erasing a Lopes' fielding error with a double-play ball. He went on to pitch four additional innings, completing five innings in sum. Markl gave up only two hits, including a solo home run that accounted for the only earned run that he allowed all week. The sophomore struck out three and walked none.
"The performance that Connor put together today was extraordinary," Stankiewicz said on Sunday. "We needed that. He did a fantastic job. Five innings of work as a non-starter is huge. That's two good performances from him and he's making a statement. We know he wants the baseball in his hands and that's fun to watch."
End 8 | Got him! @connor_markl wraps up his fifth inning of relief with a nasty pitch!😮 #LopesUp
— GCU Baseball (@GCU_Baseball) February 27, 2022
GCU 4, UCI 3 pic.twitter.com/yhnSxJs1Yx
Markl is the first GCU player to earn WAC weekly honors in the expanded conference. GCU claimed Hitter of the Week or Pitcher of the Week accolades on five occasions last year, including three times for pitchers.
GCU has four more games on deck in California this week, beginning with a Tuesday tilt at UC San Diego.
Players Mentioned
LHP
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