Box Score

Fresno Pacific battled back from a lackluster eighth inning to score three runs in the bottom of the ninth, but came up just short, stranding the tying run on third base in a 9-8 loss to #14 Grand Canyon.

After falling behind 4-0 to the Antelopes (28-5, 21-1 PacWest), the Sunbirds (20-12, 11-7 PacWest) battled back to tie it with two runs in the fifth and two in the sixth. A Steven Moon double and John Koretoff RBI single highlighted the fifth, while hits by Brett Bishop and Kyle Coppom fueled the Sunbirds in the sixth leading to a game-tying sac fly by Moon.

The game remained tied until the top of the eighth when everything quickly went into a downward spiral for the Sunbirds. GCU would score five runs as FPU committed two errors and allowed the Lopes to bunt for hits on poor judgment plays by FPU.

The Sunbirds got one back in the bottom half of the inning, making the score 9-5, but would strand the bases loaded to end the inning.

Tanner Irwin worked an impressive scoreless ninth inning, giving FPU its final chance in the bottom of the ninth. After a leadoff strikeout, Bishop drew a walk and Coppom was hit by a pitch. Kaohu Gaspar then belted a triple into the gap in right center, scoring both runners to cut the deficit to two.

Moon then nearly beat out a grounder to the shortstop, but was called out for the second out. Gaspar scored on the play making the score 9-8 GCU. Matt Fox was then hit by a pitch to put the tying run on base. Devin Lee would pinch run and move to second after a phenomenal at-bat by Koretoff in which he fouled off numerous pitches before drawing a walk.

Lee caught the defense napping and stole third base to bring the tying run just 90 feet away for pinch-hitter Alan Sandoval, who worked a full count before belting a pitch to left that was right at the GCU left-fielder as the game ended in disappointment.

It was the 19th straight victory for the Lopes, who were led by Brandon Smith (2-for-4, 3 runs) and Ryan Moore (3-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI). Kevin Behnke (1-0) earned the win in relief of starter Andrew Naderer, who surrendered four runs in 5 1/3 innings.

Chris De La Torre (3-1) took the loss for FPU after giving up five runs (two earned) in the eighth inning. Wilson Ashford went 6 1/3, giving up three earned runs as the starter. Aaron Kirkpatrick and Irwin tossed scoreless innings out of the pen.

On the offensive side, Fox went 3-for-3, Gaspar finished 1-for-3 with three RBI and two runs scored, Coppom scored three runs and Moon had two RBI.

The two teams meet up again tomorrow for the final two games of the series. Probable starters are Coley Bruns and Trent Wilson for GCU and Ryan Castadio and James Lagorio for FPU.