Lopez doubles twice, homers in GCU loss

Friday, March 20

Bailey-Brayton Field • Pullman, Wash.

4 p.m.

Grand Canyon

8-15, 0-1

Washington State

8-12, 2-2

Grand Canyon

Washington State

Photo by: Josh Hauser

3/20/2026 7:23:00 PM | Baseball

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GCU opens 1st MW campaign with 7-3 loss at Washington State

By: Josh Hauser

PULLMAN, Wash. — Grand Canyon opened Mountain West play for the first time in program history Friday afternoon, falling 7-3 at Washington State in the conference opener at Bailey-Brayton Field.

The Lopes (8-15, 0-1 MW) stayed within reach through the middle innings, but a pair of Cougar rallies proved the difference in the historic debut.

GCU freshman Jose Lopez III delivered a breakout performance in GCU's first conference game, going 3 for 4 with two doubles, a two-run home run and all three Lopes RBIs. The third baseman totaled eight bases, the most by a GCU player this season, and added a key defensive play by helping turn a double play in the seventh.

GCU threatened early when graduate catcher Mito Perez began a first-inning scoring chance with a double, but the Lopes were unable to capitalize. Washington State (9-12, 2-2 MW) broke through in the third inning with a two-run homer to take the initial lead.

The Lopes answered in the fourth. Junior first baseman Cannon Peery singled to start the frame before Lopez drove a double to right field, moving Peery to third. Sophomore left fielder Gunnar Penzkover followed with a sacrifice fly to bring home GCU's first run and cut the deficit to 2-1.

Washington State responded with two runs in the fourth and added another in the fifth to extend its lead to 5-1, capitalizing on extra-base hits and a pair of GCU miscues.

GCU pulled back within striking distance in the sixth behind Lopez again. After senior designated hitter Dominic Chacon worked a walk, Lopez launched a two-run home run to left field to trim the deficit to 5-3 and give the Lopes momentum midway through the game. It was Lopez's second home run in a four-game span.

That momentum was short-lived, as the Cougars answered immediately in the bottom half with two runs on back-to-back extra-base hits to push the lead back to four. Washington State finished with 14 hits on the day, going 5 for 12 with runners in scoring position, while GCU was held to seven hits and went 0 for 8 in RBI chances.

Sophomore second baseman Jake Sanko and Perez each added doubles for the Lopes, while junior Carson Ohland contributed a pinch-hit single in the ninth.

On the mound, junior righty JT Guerrero took the loss after allowing five runs over five innings, striking out five. Junior reliever Tommy McGuire followed with 2.0 innings, and senior Jacob Limas closed with a scoreless eighth.

Despite the result, the game marked a milestone moment as GCU officially opened Mountain West competition, highlighted by Lopez's impressive performance as the Lopes look to even the series over the weekend. First pitch on Saturday is set for 2 p.m., as GCU eyes another chance at its first MW victory.