Completed Event: Baseball versus Air Force on April 17, 2026 , Win , 8, to, 1
Baseball
vs Air Force
W 8-1
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Monday, April 27
Phoenix, Ariz.
1 p.m.
Grand Canyon
15-26
10
vs
3
BYU
22-21
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BYU | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 11 | 0 |
| Grand Canyon | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | X | 10 | 8 | 1 |
Photo by: David Kadlubowski
Lopes pile on in 4-inning surge to topple BYU
4/27/2026 5:03:00 PM | Baseball
GCU scores in 4 straight frames to win behind balanced offense, effective 4-pitcher mix
Grand Canyon delivered an impressive offensive stretch Monday afternoon, scoring in four consecutive innings to build a commanding lead in a 10-3 win over BYU at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark.
The Lopes (15-26) turned the game with a sustained offensive push from the second through fifth innings, plating runs in each frame to flip a 1-0 deficit into a 10-2 advantage.
"That's what we talked about," GCU interim head coach Nathan Bannister said. "When we talk about throwing jabs, getting two runners on to lead off the inning and then executing, moving them up 90 feet, scoring those two runs, it just sets the tone ... then we just continue to do it inning after inning after inning."
BYU (22-21) entered the game fresh off a series win at Arizona and carrying a top-60 RPI, but GCU controlled the game early and sustained.
The surge began in the second. After junior left fielder Trevor Schmidt was hit by a pitch and junior first baseman Cannon Peery singled, both runners advanced on a wild pitch before senior designated hitter Dominic Chacon and junior shortstop Camden Bates delivered back-to-back sacrifice flies to push GCU in front 2-1.
GCU kept the pressure on in the third inning. Junior right fielder Billy Scaldeferri singled and sophomore second baseman Jake Sanko walked before Schmidt lined a two-run double down the right field line to give the Lopes a 4-1 lead.
In the fourth, Bates added to his standout day by leading off with a home run to left, continuing his recent surge at the plate.
"I'm really just looking for a pitch to hit leading off the inning," Bates said. "I figured he was going to go with something he could get over the plate, and I got it."
The biggest blow came in the fifth, where GCU loaded the bases and capitalized. Bates worked a bases-loaded walk, junior center fielder Griffin Cameron followed with a two-run single up the middle and Scaldeferri capped the inning with a two-run double to stretch the lead to 10-2.
"Really important," Bates said of the early situational execution. "It sets the tone of where our offense needs to be ... just trying to get the job done."
The offensive depth was evident throughout the lineup. Schmidt continued to anchor the middle order, while Bannister highlighted Bates' growth and approach at the plate.
"He's taking his batting practice work with purpose," Bannister said. "He's confident, making good swing decisions and taking good at bats."
On the mound, GCU used four pitchers to control the game, with none allowing more than one run. Sophomore righty Billy Gregory set the tone with three innings, working around traffic and escaping a bases-loaded jam, while senior Elijah Higginbottom followed with 2 2/3 innings of one-run ball. Junior Nicholas Robb earned the win with 2 1/3 scoreless innings, and senior Brock Toney closed it out.
"I thought he attacked better," Bannister said of Gregory. "He was still able to get out of that third inning and hang a zero when they had the bases loaded. So growth from him."
The win gives the Lopes momentum heading into a quick turnaround, as GCU will host another Big 12 opponent Tuesday night when Arizona visits Phoenix.
"We're going to treat it like every other game," Bannister said. "It's still about the prep, competing and winning each pitch."
First pitch on Tuesday night is set for 7 p.m. on Arizona's Family Sports and Mountain West Network.
The Lopes (15-26) turned the game with a sustained offensive push from the second through fifth innings, plating runs in each frame to flip a 1-0 deficit into a 10-2 advantage.
"That's what we talked about," GCU interim head coach Nathan Bannister said. "When we talk about throwing jabs, getting two runners on to lead off the inning and then executing, moving them up 90 feet, scoring those two runs, it just sets the tone ... then we just continue to do it inning after inning after inning."
BYU (22-21) entered the game fresh off a series win at Arizona and carrying a top-60 RPI, but GCU controlled the game early and sustained.
The surge began in the second. After junior left fielder Trevor Schmidt was hit by a pitch and junior first baseman Cannon Peery singled, both runners advanced on a wild pitch before senior designated hitter Dominic Chacon and junior shortstop Camden Bates delivered back-to-back sacrifice flies to push GCU in front 2-1.
GCU kept the pressure on in the third inning. Junior right fielder Billy Scaldeferri singled and sophomore second baseman Jake Sanko walked before Schmidt lined a two-run double down the right field line to give the Lopes a 4-1 lead.
In the fourth, Bates added to his standout day by leading off with a home run to left, continuing his recent surge at the plate.
"I'm really just looking for a pitch to hit leading off the inning," Bates said. "I figured he was going to go with something he could get over the plate, and I got it."
The biggest blow came in the fifth, where GCU loaded the bases and capitalized. Bates worked a bases-loaded walk, junior center fielder Griffin Cameron followed with a two-run single up the middle and Scaldeferri capped the inning with a two-run double to stretch the lead to 10-2.
"Really important," Bates said of the early situational execution. "It sets the tone of where our offense needs to be ... just trying to get the job done."
The offensive depth was evident throughout the lineup. Schmidt continued to anchor the middle order, while Bannister highlighted Bates' growth and approach at the plate.
"He's taking his batting practice work with purpose," Bannister said. "He's confident, making good swing decisions and taking good at bats."
On the mound, GCU used four pitchers to control the game, with none allowing more than one run. Sophomore righty Billy Gregory set the tone with three innings, working around traffic and escaping a bases-loaded jam, while senior Elijah Higginbottom followed with 2 2/3 innings of one-run ball. Junior Nicholas Robb earned the win with 2 1/3 scoreless innings, and senior Brock Toney closed it out.
"I thought he attacked better," Bannister said of Gregory. "He was still able to get out of that third inning and hang a zero when they had the bases loaded. So growth from him."
The win gives the Lopes momentum heading into a quick turnaround, as GCU will host another Big 12 opponent Tuesday night when Arizona visits Phoenix.
"We're going to treat it like every other game," Bannister said. "It's still about the prep, competing and winning each pitch."
First pitch on Tuesday night is set for 7 p.m. on Arizona's Family Sports and Mountain West Network.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Robb, Nicholas (4-2)
L: Ball, Tyler (1-2)
Batting:
2B: Painter, Keoni 1 ; Robinson, Ryder 1
3B: Jones, Easton 1
HR: McNaughton, Ezra 1
RBI: Jones, Easton 1 ; McNaughton, Ezra 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Robinson, Ryder 1 ; McNaughton, Ezra 2
Batting:
2B: Schmidt, Trevor 1 ; Scaldeferri, Billy 1
HR: Bates, Camden 1
RBI: Schmidt, Trevor 2 ; Scaldeferri, Billy 2 ; Cameron, Griffin 2 ; Chacon, Dominic 1 ; Bates, Camden 3
SH: Perez, Mito 1
SF: Chacon, Dominic 1 ; Bates, Camden 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Perez, Mito 1 ; Schmidt, Trevor 2 ; Sanko, Jake 1 ; Scaldeferri, Billy 1 ; Cameron, Griffin 1 ; Peery, Cannon 1 ; Chacon, Dominic 1 ; Bates, Camden 2
CS: Bates, Camden 1
HBP: Perez, Mito 1 ; Schmidt, Trevor 1 ; Lopez III, Jose 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
AB
5
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
AB
2
R
2
H
2
RBI
3
AB
4
R
1
H
1
RBI
2
Players Mentioned
INF
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RHP
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RHP
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1B
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RHP
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INF
/ BaseballINF
/ Baseball1B/OF
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RHP
/ BaseballSingles off BOTH bags. ONE inning. 🤯 #baseball
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