Late-inning magic pushes winning streak to 5

Friday, March 3

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Texas State

3/3/2023 10:41:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Lopes score 5 runs in 8th to complete comeback

By: Jerob Moon

The Grand Canyon baseball team pushed its winning streak to five games with a 5-3 comeback victory to open its weekend series against Texas State on Friday night at GCU Ballpark.

During the streak, the Lopes (7-2) have had a knack for scoring late in games with 30 runs scored in the seventh inning or later. GCU tied Friday night's game on a two-run double from sophomore left fielder Maxwell Andeel and took the lead two at bats later with a two-run single from graduate second baseman Zack Gregory.

"We just talk about playing good baseball," Lopes head coach Gregg Wallis. "Even though we were down, we were playing good baseball. That's a really good team over there, that's a regional team. They can hit, but our starter went six and gave up three and kept us right into the game, and that allowed us to do something special late. Overall, playing really good baseball gives you a chance to be in it late, and we got a couple big swings that put us on top."

Junior designated hitter Tyler Wilson started the eighth with a walk and quickly found himself on third base after junior center fielder Homer Bush Jr. rocketed his third hit of the night up the middle. A bobble by the Texas State (6-3) outfielder allowed both Lopes to advance a base. Freshman first baseman Zach Yorke grounded to second base to score Wilson and move Bush Jr. to third.

After a seven-pitch walk by junior third baseman Elijah Buries, Andeel doubled to right field to tie the game at 3-3.

After another walk by junior right fielder Cade Verdusco, Gregory singled up the middle to score Andeel from second. A fielding error by Texas State in center allowed Verdusco to score from first and put GCU ahead 5-3. It was the fourth time Gregory reached base in the game, collecting three walks in his first three plate appearances. The Arkanasas transfer has 10 walks this season, putting his on-base percentage at .452.

"That's what we're preaching to these guys is gritty at bats one through nine," Wallis added. "They had a really good arm on the mound to start and that's a good baseball team. This was a Friday night dogfight, Game 1 of a regional-type game. This was a good challenge for our guys, and I'm glad we came out on top."

The Lopes were left looking for the game-changing hit for most of the night. They left five runners in scoring position through the first seven innings. Junior starting pitcher Zach Thornton posted another quality start with three runs allowed over six innings with eight strikeouts. The GCU bullpen did not allow a hit in the final three innings and junior Tyson Heaton recorded his first save of the season.

The Lopes and Bobcats will meet for the second game of the three-game set at 6 p.m. Saturday at GCU Ballpark.