The Arizona baseball team defeated Grand Canyon University 7-3 on Tuesday night at Brazell Stadium in Phoenix.
Mitchell Morimoto led off the Wildcats with a single to open up the game, but nothing came Arizona’s way in the top of the first inning. Cody Deason started on the mound for the Cats for the third time this season giving up no runs in the first two innings.
Arizona looked to bring in some runs in the second inning with JJ Matijevic singling up the middle, followed a walk from freshman Nick Quintana that loaded the bases after Kyle Lewis reached first on an error.
With the bases loaded, Cameron Cannon grounded in to a double play leaving Arizona with no runs on the board.
It was a quick second for the Lopes as Deason retired the side with two strikeouts and a fly out leaving the Lopes scoreless heading into the third.
Matijevic brought in a run for the Cats with a two out RBI single up the middle to bring in Rivas. Arizona added one more run during the third with Jared Oliva coming home due to a wild pitch.
Right-handed pitcher Austin Schnabel relieved Deason in the bottom of the third and made quick work of the Lopes getting the Cats back to the plate.
Arizona loaded the bases with no outs for Morimoto in the top half of the fourth inning. Morimoto reached first on a fielder’s choice to shortstop that brought home Cannon. Arizona added another when sophomore Cesar Salazar stole home leaving the Lopes with a four-run deficit.
Arizona again went to their bullpen during the bottom of the fourth with Faulkner relieving Schnabel on the mound.
GCU’s Tyler Wyatt singled up the right side to bring home a run. Arizona reached into the bullpen once more bringing Seve Romo to the hill. The Lopes added one more run on a wild pitch making it 4-2 Wildcats.
Arizona continued to hold the lead and their momentum going into the sixth inning with Morimoto hitting a RBI double down the right field line to bring in Salazar. GCU made their way to the plate in the sixth but Romo retired the side with a one-two-three inning.
Matijevic started the seventh inning with a single followed by Quintana with a double down the right field line bringing in Matijevic to score for the Wildcats.
Arizona scored their final run of the night when Quintana scored on a wild pitch making it 7-2.
There was nothing going for the Cats during the final innings, but the Lopes were able to get another run on the board during the ninth, but they fell 7-3 in the end.
Arizona baseball will be making their way home and preparing for another three-game series at Hi-Corbett against Oregon starting Thursday, April 13 at 7 p.m.
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