GCU built a 5-2 lead that was challenged late with a two-run home run in the eighth and a leadoff single in the ninth. But junior closer Vince Reilly picked off the runner at first base and coaxed a strikeout to end the game. He picked up his 12th save of the season, matching Franke Scalzo’s 2021 mark for GCU’s Division I season record.
“Vince came in and just did what Vince has been able to do,” Lopes head coach Andy Stankiewicz said. “He pitched today too. He mixed in some slide steps, some pick-offs. A big pick-off there to create us some room there. It was a great job again by him, settling in and making big pitches when he had to.”
The Lopes finished off their road schedule with a 21-6 mark, far surpassing the 1999 team’s program record 17 road wins.
“When you get on the road, it’s just the players together,” Stankiewicz said. “They’re together a lot. I think that’s a big part of it. I think they genuinely enjoy being around each other. I think they enjoy coming to the park together. It’s fun to be on the road with the boys. Just hang out together and play good baseball.”
Another program record toppled on Sunday. GCU struck out 12 Aggies in the game, but the first one of the day was the record-breaker. Sophomore lefty Connor Markl struck out the second batter he faced, and it was the 500th strikeout of the season. The Lopes’ program record was previously 499, set by the 1986 Lopes and tied in 2018.
Markl tossed the first four innings, allowing two runs on two solo home runs. Sophomore right-hander Carter Young earned the win after throwing 1 2/3 innings of scoreless baseball in relief.
“We needed to get both of those guys back on the horse,” Stankiewicz said. “I thought Connor was tough, kind of gritty. It wasn’t easy but he just grinds his way through it. That was encouraging for him to give us four.
“C.Y. did a great job and that’s good. His ball looked like it had some life to it. It’s good to see both of them finding themselves a little bit, getting back in that groove.”
The first of three New Mexico State homers gave the Aggies the lead in the third, but senior third baseman Jonny Weaver came up with a key two-out single to plate a pair of runs and give GCU the lead.
The Aggies second homer tied the game, but the Lopes scored the game’s next three runs to build a 5-2 lead.
Sophomore center fielder Homer Bush Jr. capped a three-hit sixth inning with another two-out hit to plate a run and regain the lead for GCU.
Senior designated hitter Juan Colato opened the eighth with a single and eventually scored on a two-out wild pitch. Colato finished the weekend with a .393 batting average.
GCU’s scoring was capped in the eighth by a solo home run from junior catcher Josh Buckley, his fourth of the season. Buckley finished the series sporting a .488 batting average (20 for 41).
The Lopes’ tried and true bullpen combo of Eli Ankeney, Brodie Cooper-Vassalakis and Reilly closed the game out.
“Eli was fantastic again,” Stankiewicz said. “BCV did a good job, just left that one over the plate. But other than that, his fastball has a lot of life to it. It’s a great sign that he’s getting stronger.”
The Lopes improved to 9-0 in WAC series this season. GCU has won seven straight games in Las Cruces.
The regular season concludes at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark with a three-game series against Seattle U beginning on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Press Release courtesy of Grand Canyon Athletics – Josh Hauser
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