Paton, Yorke homer in loss to Oregon

Tuesday, March 5

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Oregon

Photo by: Sebastian Molinar

Photo by: Jack Gilday

3/5/2024 8:20:00 PM | Baseball

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Two-run homers in 2nd, 8th not enough in loss to 2023 Super Regional host

By: Josh Hauser

Grand Canyon homered in the second and eighth innings but couldn't keep up with Oregon's offense in a 9-4 loss on Tuesday night at GCU Ballpark.

The Lopes (6-6) had a 2-1 lead in the second inning after junior third baseman Eli Paton homered to right field. Paton's home run also drove in junior designated hitter Beau Ankeney who singled to open the frame.

The Ducks (8-3) responded with six unanswered runs while holding the Lopes without a hit in the fourth through seventh innings.

Facing a 7-2 deficit, GCU responded with another two-run blast to make things interesting in the eighth inning. Sophomore first baseman Zach Yorke hit a no-doubter to right to pull the Lopes within three at 7-4.

Oregon added late insurance with two runs in the ninth that represented the last scoring of the night.

GCU's offense finished the weekend series in San Antonio with 12-hit and 15-hit efforts but was limited to six hits on Tuesday.

Senior second baseman Dustin Crenshaw continued his tear atop the Lopes lineup with another multi-hit effort to raise his batting average to a team-leading .400 on the season. He opened the eighth inning with a single and scored on Yorke's home run.

GCU concludes the series on Wednesday at 2 p.m. at GCU Ballpark.