Upcoming Event: Baseball versus MLB Desert Invitational on February 13, 2026
Baseball
vs MLB Desert Invitational
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Thornton earns WAC award after D-I debut
2/20/2023 3:48:00 PM | Baseball
Lopes righty tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings in opening-day win
Grand Canyon junior left-hander Zach Thornton earned the WAC's first Pitcher of the Week honor of the season following his Lopes debut on Opening Day.
In a nationally televised season opener, Thornton tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings and was the winning pitcher in a 12-4 defeat of UC San Diego at Salt River Fields. The Barton Community College transfer scattered six hits, struck out six and didn't walk a batter.
Thornton continued adding to an impressive stat line in his college career. He moved to 17-1 and knocked his ERA down a few ticks to 3.10.
Thornton continues a long string of success for GCU's opening-day starting pitchers, a group that includes Nick Hull, Zach Barnes, Kade Mechals, Jake Wong, Andrew Naderer and Jorge Perez. A GCU starting pitcher has not lost on Opening Day since 2014, the Lopes' first season back at the D-I level.
The Lopes earn a WAC Pitcher of the Week choice in the season's first weekend after earning the honor twice a year ago.
GCU wrapped its first week of the season 2-2 and will now host a four-game weekend against Ohio State and Gonzaga beginning on Thursday.
In a nationally televised season opener, Thornton tossed 5 2/3 scoreless innings and was the winning pitcher in a 12-4 defeat of UC San Diego at Salt River Fields. The Barton Community College transfer scattered six hits, struck out six and didn't walk a batter.
Thornton continued adding to an impressive stat line in his college career. He moved to 17-1 and knocked his ERA down a few ticks to 3.10.
Thornton continues a long string of success for GCU's opening-day starting pitchers, a group that includes Nick Hull, Zach Barnes, Kade Mechals, Jake Wong, Andrew Naderer and Jorge Perez. A GCU starting pitcher has not lost on Opening Day since 2014, the Lopes' first season back at the D-I level.
The Lopes earn a WAC Pitcher of the Week choice in the season's first weekend after earning the honor twice a year ago.
GCU wrapped its first week of the season 2-2 and will now host a four-game weekend against Ohio State and Gonzaga beginning on Thursday.
Players Mentioned
LHP
/ Baseball❌ 𝐧𝐨 𝐟𝐥𝐲 𝐳𝐨𝐧𝐞 ❌ Max Charles' diving grab
Friday, November 14
Dom goes DEEP at ASU in fall ball
Friday, November 14
GCU Baseball - WAC Tournament vs. Utah Tech - Highlights
Thursday, May 22
Baseball at Stanford - Barreras' game-winning double
Saturday, May 10