Pitchers prep for stretch in loss to K-State

Tuesday, April 21

Phoenix, Ariz.

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

14-26

Kansas State

26-15

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Kansas State	0	1	1	0	1	5	0	0	0	8	11	1
Grand Canyon	2	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	7	1

Phoenix, AZ : April 20, 2026: The Lopes fall 3-8 against Kansas State at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark. David Kadlubowski/GCU

Photo by: David Kadlubowski

4/21/2026 6:20:00 PM | Baseball, Paul Coro

Box Score Photo Gallery

GCU staff shows depth; Peery homers in back-to-back games

By: Paul Coro

With three Mountain West series remaining, Grand Canyon baseball knows the scenario to extending its season involves moving ahead of UNLV and pass San José State.

The only thing the Lopes could control about that dynamic Tuesday was to use the first of three nonconference games against quality visitors as preparation for when GCU resumes conference play May 1-3 at San José State. Phoenix, AZ : April 20, 2026: The Lopes fall 3-8 against Kansas State at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark. David Kadlubowski/GCU

GCU lost 8-3 to Kansas State, a Big 12 opponent with a No. 56 RPI ranking, at GCU Ballpark but received five pitching outings that could deepen its stretch-run staff and postseason life.

A 3-1 lead and a 3-3 game got away from the Lopes (14-26) because of the Wildcats' five-run sixth inning, an inning in which Kansas State hit the ball out of the infield once and took advantage of four walks by GCU senior reliever Jace Smith.

The following three Lopes relievers – seniors Elijah Higginbottom, Luke Moeller and Brock Toney – shut out Kansas State over the final four innings on four hits and no walks.

"We had a script in mind knowing there's a bye week, and we've got two midweeks coming up (Monday vs. BYU and Tuesday vs. Arizona)," GCU interim head coach Nathan Bannister said. "After only using seven pitchers this weekend, we really wanted to throw guys into the fire and see what they can do.

"If we're thinking about going to a tournament, we've got to think about putting the ball into one of our competitors' hands. This was good for those guys to get experience and fight for innings on the weekend."

Lopes sophomore right-hander Billy Gregory started and made one critical mistake with a slider over the middle, which resulted in a home run by Kansas State center fielder Cadyn Karl. Gregory battled out of a 3-1 count for a strikeout in the third inning before turning the ball over to graduate right-hander Jacob Limas, whose arsenal can be electric. Limas recorded four of his eight outs by strikeout Tuesday.

"I thought that was one of Limas' best outings of the year," Bannister said. "The sharpness of everything. The way he competed. He made one bad pitch to an All-American (Dee Kennedy for a home run). When he's throwing all three pitches where he wants, that's fun to watch."

Higginbottom, the right-hander from Sumner, Washington, was most impressive with two shutout innings that have been a continuation of his in-season turnaround.

After having a 10.38 ERA over his first six appearances this season, Higginbottom has posted a 1.80 ERA over his past seven outings to resemble the pitcher who went 6-0 for GCU last season.

"We started mixing a lot more sweeper," Higginbottom said of his slider, which complements his cutter and fastball. "I spam the sweeper now (throw it more) and then either use the fastball late or to get ahead early. That switch has helped me get a lot more weak contact and opens up the end of the at bat because I can throw heaters up in the zone, and they haven't seen it yet. It wasn't a meeting. 'Banni' just started calling the game that way, and it's working.

"I knew eventually it was going to turn around. I had so much success last year pitching in big games."
Phoenix, AZ : April 20, 2026: The Lopes fall 3-8 against Kansas State at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark. David Kadlubowski/GCU

GCU held an early lead when junior first baseman Cannon Peery homered in consecutive games for the first time in his career. The 6-foot-3 slugger did so in a big way Tuesday, crushing a 423-foot, two-run home run over the center field batter's eye after working a full count.

It was Peery's seventh home run of the season in 143 at bats after hitting three home runs last season in 167 at bats.

"The thing for Cannon is he's ready to hit," Bannister said. "The previous weeks, he was getting tied up. He's ready for the fastball, and he's been able to damage the fastball. As a pitcher, when the guy is ready for the fastball, you start to get tighter and nibble more. That gets Cannon in better counts. All of it is playing well for Cannon."

GCU scored its other run in the second inning with the help of the first GCU career hit for junior right fielder Dillon Anderson, who singled in his first appearance since making his Lopes debut in the second game of the season Feb. 14. Anderson's single moved freshman third baseman Jose Lopez III, who had doubled, to third base to score on a sacrifice fly by junior catcher Marcus Galvan.

That GCU lead held up until the Kennedy tying home run in the fifth. It was the first of six consecutive runs for Kansas State, which was coming off a wekeend series win at Arizona.

The break of one week between GCU games hits well for the players, many of whom have final exams and/or commencement ceremonies this week.

"We're going to have some good practices this week, but it's also a good chance to get our bodies right," Higginbottom said. "That San José State series is going to be huge for us because they're in the middle of the pack. We'll use the week to get ready but obviously not let off the gas."