For the first time in school history, Grand Canyon University has advanced to the regional championship, overcoming an early 8-3 deficit to defeat the Dallas Baptist Patriots 12-10.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!The Lopes, familiar with overcoming large deficits, found themselves in a 2-0 hole after the Patriots launched an early rally against GCU’s starter Isaac Lyon. Lyon, pitching on short rest after throwing 49 pitches in GCU’s first-ever NCAA D-1 tournament win on Friday, struggled early. Junior Tom Poole from Canada got the Patriots on the board with a two-run homer. Poole drove in six of Dallas’ 10 runs.
Grand Canyon responded with a three-run bottom of the second inning, led by five hits. However, their first lead was short-lived as the Patriots quickly regained control with three straight hits to start the 3rd inning. A critical double play with the bases loaded and no outs limited further damage.
Lyon ultimately exited after allowing six runs in 3.1 innings.
Comeback Begins
Facing a daunting five-run deficit with just 15 outs remaining, the Lopes’ bats came alive with a three-run bottom of the 5th. After Cade Verdusco reached on a throwing error, GCU capitalized with a pair of base knocks to load the bases. All runners scored thanks to another error, a sacrifice fly, and a base hit by Alton Gyselman.
The rally continued with four more runs in the sixth, giving GCU a 10-9 lead, highlighted by doubles from Eddy Pelc, Zach Yorke, and Dustin Crenshaw.
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— Grand Canyon Baseball (@GCU_Baseball) June 2, 2024
After the Patriots tied things up in the 7th, Grand Canyon had a big opportunity to reclaim the lead as they found themselves in a bases-loaded, one out situation. Then, Conner Mackay came in out of the bullpen to shut down the Lopes threat by striking out Zack Yorke then pitching a groundout to end the inning.
However, in the bottom of the eighth, with the game still tied, GCU didn’t waste another bases-loaded situation. Mackay, who had escaped the seventh, encountered control issues, walking three batters, including two with the bases loaded. Cade Verdusco’s four-ball walk drove in the winning run.
Postgame, head coach Gregg Wallis teared up while reflecting on the win, noting, “It’s a huge moment.”
Bullpen steps up
While Grand Canyon’s come from behind victory may have been highlighted with their 19 hits, leading to 12 runs, Walter Quinn played a crucial roll down the stretch, shutting the door, allowing the offense to do its job.
Quinn, a redshirt sophomore out of Simi Valley California, pitched three innings, allowing just one earned run. In the 8th inning, with the game tied at 10, Quinn struck out two batters and got a fly out to left field in what was the Patriots’ offense first 1-2-3 inning of the game.
It was Quinn’s first appearance in the regional tournament, making his three-inning outing even more impressive.
Next up for GCU
With this win, the Lopes will now have a second chance against West Virginia in the Tucson Regional championship. GCU will need to win back-to-back games since West Virginia remains undefeated.
In their previous meeting, GCU held close but a four-run fourth inning from the Mountaineers ultimately decided the game. GCU outhit West Virginia 10-6, but three free bases via walks or hit-by-pitches in that inning proved costly.
The first pitch for this championship game has yet to be announced.
