GCU’s 1st NCAA Tournament win puts UA’s season on the brink
TUCSON – Arizona pitchers walked seven, hit the same Grand Canyon batter twice and the Antelopes took full advantage for a 9-4 victory Friday night to push the Wildcats into the Elimination bracket of their NCAA Tournament Regional.
The loss for Arizona was just the second-ever in the post-season at home (10-2) since the Wildcats moved to Hi Corbett Field for the 2012 season. It came in front of the largest crowd (8,789) ever to watch an Arizona Baseball team play at the venue.
Eddy Pelc’s two-out bases-loaded double in the 6th was the hit that turned the game in Grand Canyon’s favor. It came with the bases loaded and flipped the score from 3-2 Arizona to 5-3 Lopes.
GCU piled on from their as seven of their nine runs came in the last four innings. The victory was the first for the Antelopes in the NCAA Baseball Tournament.
Grand Canyon head coach Greg Wallis threw a curveball at Arizona in the 7th inning. He replaced starting pitcher Grant Richardson with starting pitcher Isaac Lyon. Lyon was expected to start the 2nd game of the post-season for GCU but instead he came on relief and shutout the Wildcats over the final three innings, allowing just two hits and striking out four.
Clark Candiotti (7-4) took the loss for Arizona (36-22). He walked three and hit GCU designated hitter Michael Diaz twice, allowing five runs on four hits in six innings
Grand Canyon (35-23) is set to play West Virginia at 7 p.m. in the winner’s bracket. The Mountaineers beat the Dallas Baptist 4-1 in the Regional Opener.
UA will face the Patriots at 1 p.m. on Saturday in an Elimination game. The contest can be heard on Wildcats Radio 1290 with coverage beginning at 1250 p.m.
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