Lopes walk 10 times as rally falls shy

Sunday, February 19

Mesa, Ariz. / Sloan Park

5 p.m.

Grand Canyon

2-1

Michigan

2-2

Grand Canyon

Michigan

2/19/2023 8:03:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

GCU had tying run in scoring position in 9th; Michigan hands Lopes 1st loss

By: Josh Hauser

MESA, Ariz. — Grand Canyon showed patience at the plate, walking 10 times, but was left searching for a breakthrough hit in its first loss of the season. Michigan used a four-run third to do most of its damage in defeating the Lopes 6-4 on Sunday evening at Sloan Park.

In a battle of 2022 NCAA Tournament clubs, the Lopes (2-1) were outhit 11-5 by Michigan (2-2) but also walked six more times to even out the offensive opportunities.

Trailing 6-4, GCU threatened to finish off its late-game rally in the eighth and ninth innings. In the eighth inning, the Lopes narrowed their deficit to 6-4 when junior designated hitter Tyler Wilson singled to drive in senior second baseman Zack Gregory who had walked to begin the inning. But with runners on first and second and one out, Michigan ended the threat with consecutive outs.

Walks by sophomore left fielder Maxwell Andeel and junior right fielder Cade Verdusco put a pair of runners on base in the ninth, and they both advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch. A strikeout and a groundout ended the threat.

In his first collegiate action, freshman catcher Zach Yorke had a solid day at the plate. He accounted for two of the Lopes' five hits on the night, driving in three runs. Yorke singled in a pair of runs in the first inning to put the Lopes in front 2-0. He added a third RBI to his tally with another two-out knock in the sixth.

GCU has scored in the first inning in each of its first three games of 2023.

The Lopes' bullpen trio of Blake Reilly, Cody Tucker and Shawn Triplett combined for 5 1/3 innings of shutout baseball, walking two and striking out five. The GCU bullpen helped ensure Michigan did not score a run after the third inning.

The Wolverines did their damage in the second and third innings off of GCU starting pitcher Carter Young. The junior limited the damage to two runs in the second, ending Michigan's threat with a full-count strikeout. The bottom of the third was the frame that would prove to define the game with the Wolverines striking for four runs on four hits, a walk, a hit batsman and an error.

GCU chipped away at Michigan's early 6-2 lead but fell short in its first loss of the season.

The Lopes will close out opening weekend with an 11 a.m. first pitch back at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark against Michigan State.