Wilson's grand slam sends Lopes to 9-6 win

Friday, March 17

Sacramento, Calif.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

13-4, 4-0

Sacramento State

9-8, 0-1

Grand Canyon

Sacramento State

Photo by: David Kadlubowski

3/17/2023 9:13:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

GCU improves to 4-0 in WAC play with 1st road win

By: Jerob Moon

The first road trip of the season for Grand Canyon started with a 9-6 win over Sacramento State on Friday night at John Smith Field.

The Lopes (13-4, 4-0 WAC) were led by a grand slam from junior shortstop Jacob Wilson in the top of the third after GCU loaded the bases on three straight walks. Lopes junior left-handed starter Zach Thornton went six innings with four runs allowed while senior Cody Tucker came out of the bullpen and held the Hornets (9-7, 0-1 WAC) scoreless in the final two innings.

After a pair of scoreless innings by both teams, the Lopes put five runs on the board in the third. GCU freshman third baseman Emilio Barreras, in the ninth spot of the batting order, walked before junior center fielder Homer Bush Jr. and graduate second baseman Zach Gregory did the same. With the bases loaded and one out, Wilson crushed the first pitch over the left-field fence for a grand slam to put GCU up 4-0.

Freshman first baseman Zach Yorke singled up the middle in the next at bat and came around to score later in the inning off a base hit into left by junior third baseman Elijah Buries.

The Lopes added two more runs off a Hornet throwing error with the bases loaded to make it a 7-0 GCU lead.

That was more than enough run support for Thornton, who scattered four runs over six innings with seven strikeouts.

The Hornets made some noise late with three runs in the sixth and two in the seventh, but the Lopes answered each scoring inning with one of their own. After Sacramento State made it a 7-4 game in the sixth, Bush added an RBI single in the top of the seventh. And after the Hornets added two runs in the next half inning, GCU responded with an RBI double by sophomore designated hitter Eli Paton in the eighth.

With a 9-6 lead, Tucker shut down the Hornets in the final two innings on one hit and one walk with two strikeouts for his first save of the season.

GCU and Sacramento State will meet for a Saturday doubleheader. Sunday's forecast forced the third game of the series to be moved up a day and it will follow the first game, which starts at 2 p.m.