Lopes suffer 1st defeat to Nebraska in series opener

Thursday, February 22

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

4-1

Nebraska

2-2

Nebraska

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Rachel Sollazzo

2/22/2024 9:36:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

GCU batters collect 8 hits but strand 8 base runners in 7-2 home loss

By: Jerob Moon

In its fifth game in six days, Grand Canyon suffered its first loss of the seaso with a 7-2 series-opening loss to Nebraska at GCU Ballpark on Thursday night.

The GCU pitching staff struggled to complete innings, allowing extra Nebraska baserunners via hit by pitches or walks. The Huskers (2-2) took advantage, driving in four of their seven runs with extra base hits.

It was a pitcher's duel between GCU junior Daniel Avitia and Nebraska's Drew Christo as the two right-handers combined to allow just three hits while stranding five base runners. The Lopes had a chance to take an early lead in the bottom of the third with a runner on second but a fly out by GCU first baseman Zach Yorke ended the scoring threat.

In the next half inning, Nebraska grabbed the lead with three runs on three hits, one of them being a two-run home run to left field off Avitia.

Avitia lasted 4 2/3 innings, striking out eight batters with three walks and two hit batsman.

The Lopes (4-1) put runners on base three times through the first six innings but lacked the big knock to score. Two runners were stranded in each of the second and third innings before the Lopes pushed their first run across on a RBI double by junior designated hitter Beau Ankeney that scored senior left fielder Tyler Wilson after his single.

Ankeney responded to going hitless in the previous two games with a pair of hits Thursday night for his third multi-hit game of the season. The Phoenix native continues to lead the GCU offense with a .444 batting average and .889 slugging percentage.

Out of the bullpen, GCU right-hander Barrett Skaugrud impressed with two scoreless innings. The Yavapai College transfer struck out the side in the seventh and threw another scoreless frame in the eighth that was capped off by a defensive play by right fielder Eddy Pelc. The GCU sophomore lasered a throw from right field and to get Nebraska's Cayden Brumbaugh out at second base trying to turn a single into extra bases.

Along with Ankeney's two hits, senior third baseman Eli Paton added two singles while Wilson finished with a pair of hits and a run scored. Senior center fielder Cade Verduso ripped a double to right field on the first pitch to lead off the bottom of the eighth and scored on a Yorke sacrifice fly.

The Lopes and Huskers will square off Friday night for the second game of the four-game set. First pitch from GCU Ballpark is set for 6 p.m.