Comeback falls short against Texans

Friday, March 15

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

9-8, 3-1

Tarleton State

11-8, 2-2

Tarleton State

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Rachel Sollazzo

3/15/2024 10:07:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Ankeney, Crenshaw homer in close 8-6 loss

By: Jerob Moon

The Grand Canyon baseball team opened a weekend series against conference foe Tarleton, falling in the first game 8-6 at a rainy and overcast GCU Ballpark on Friday.

The Lopes (9-8, 3-1 WAC) fell behind 5-1 after 2 1/2 innings but a five-run fourth inning put them right back in the game. In the eighth inning the Lopes had the tying run on first and the go-ahead run at the plate but were unable to provide the big hit that was needed.

After a scoreless top of the first inning, GCU lead-off man and second baseman Dustin Crenshaw opened the scoring with a solo home run that showed off the opposite field power to left center. It was the second home of the season for Crenshaw, and he went on to add a two-run triple in the fourth finishing with three hits and three RBIs.

GCU found themselves behind 7-1 after Tarleton State added five runs in the second and two more in the top of the fourth but the Lopes answered right back with a five-run inning. Designate hitter Beau Ankeney got the scoring started with his eighth home run of the year that was followed by an RBI single from catcher Alton Gyselman. Crenshaw put the finishing touches on the rally with his two-run triple as the Lopes finished with five runs on four hits to make it a 7-6 ballgame.

It was a battle of the bullpens for the final two-thirds of the game as both starters didn't make it past the fourth inning. GCU righty Daniel Avitia pitched 2 1/3 giving up five runs on six hits while Tarleton's Piercen McElyea allowed four runs on five hits in 3 1/3 innings.

The bullpen advantage when to the Texans in the middle innings as reliever Grant Garza allowed just two runs on the Crenshaw triple in the fourth but shut down the Lopes in the fifth and sixth innings before surrendering a hit to GCU outfielder Cade Verdusco in his final batter.

The back end of both bullpens was stellar as GCU right-hander Walter Quinn pitched three perfect innings allowing no hits and no walks with five strikeouts. On the other side Tarleton's Braydon Risely finished the game with 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief scattering three GCU hits to earn the save.

The Lopes had runners on base in both the eighth and ninth innings put were unable to move them past second base.

GCU and Tarleton will meet for the second game of the weekend series on Saturday. First pitch from GCU Ballpark is set for 6 p.m.