March 10, 2018
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PHOENIX ââ'¬" Grand Canyon was able to rally late for a second consecutive day, defeating Penn State, 8-7, in the 11th inning of their baseball series finale Saturday afternoon in GCU Ballpark.
GCU (6-8) built a 4-0 lead after the first three innings, but Penn State (4-8) scored the next seven runs, tallying a run each in the fourth and fifth, and five runs in the sixth. However, GCU got one run back in the bottom of the sixth on a two-out single up the middle by second baseman Austin Bull, and then took advantage of an error in the eighth as catcher Griffin Barnes and Bull then both tallied RBI-singles to tie the game at 7-7.
The ninth and 10th innings were scoreless, and then Penn State threatened to take the lead in the 11th with two outs. Left fielder Braxton Giavedoni (Punxsutawney, Pa.), first baseman Shea Sbranti (Oakley, Calif.), and designated hitter Curtis Robsion (Dillsburg, Pa.) hit back-to-back-to-back singles, but Giavedoni was thrown out at home trying to score from second on Robison's.
Left fielder Kona Quiggle and right fielder Quin Cotton then hit back-to-back doubles for GCU to start the bottom of the 11th inning, with Quiggle scoring the winning run on Cotton's double to the right gap.
Both teams were strong at the plate, tallying double-digit hits. For Penn State, catcher Ryan Sloniger (Punxsutawney, Pa.) reached base four times with three walks and a bases clearing double that drove in the three of the five runs scored in the fifth, while Giavedoni went 3-for-6 with a solo home run. Right fielder Jordan Bowersox (Winter Springs, Fla.) had two hits and two RBIs with a run scored, Sbranti had two hits and a run scored, and Robison reached in all three plate appearances of the bench, going 2-for-2 with a double and walk.
Bull went 3-for-6 with two pivotal RBIs and a run scored to lead GCU, while third baseman Zach Malis went 3-for-5 with two runs scored and an RBI.
GCU jumped out to a 4-0 lead with runs in the second and third innings. Malis hit an RBI-single to center with two outs in the second for the first run, and then the Lopes added three more in the third on RBI-singles from Quiggle, designated hitter Pikai Winchester and first baseman Tyler Wyatt.
Penn State started fighting back in the fourth, as Giavedoni hit a towering home run over the left field wall. Shortstop Tommy Gibson (Williamstown, N.J.) and Bowersox teamed up in the fifth to produce a run, as Gibson reached on a one-out comebacker, advanced to second on a balk, and then scored when Bowersox singled down the line, off of third base with two outs.
The Lions then batted around in the fifth, with all of the scoring taking place with two outs. Giavedoni singled to center to lead the inning off, but was thrown out at third trying to take an extra base on a Sbranti base hit. Sbranti advanced to second on the play and then scored when second baseman Joe Weisenseel (Strongsville, Ohio) roped a double down the right line. Gibson and a pinch-hitting Mason Nadeau (Lansdale, Pa.) drew walks to load the bases, and Bowersox tied the game at 4-4 by beating out a slow bouncer to the shortstop. Sloniger then cleared the bases with a double to left field for a 7-4 lead.
The Lopes' last four relievers were able to keep Penn State from adding more runs over the next five innings, and RHP Mick Vorhof (2-2) picked up his second win in as many days, pitching the final three innings and striking out four while working around four hits.
RHP Nick Distasio (Oley, Pa.) (2-2) suffered the loss for Penn State after entering in the 11th. RHP Mason Mellott (State College, Pa.) entered in the eighth inning and worked a career-high three innings, striking out two and allowing a hit and a walk.
Penn State's home opener is set for Wednesday, March 14 at 5 p.m. against Mount St. Mary's. Season, flex and single-game tickets for the 2018 season, presented by Family Clothesline, are available online at GoPSUsports.com or by calling the Medlar Field at Lubrano Park ticket office at 814-272-1711.
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