Top Seeds Grand Canyon, Sam Houston Remain Unbeaten Following Second Day Of 2023 University Credit Union WAC Baseball Tournament
Top Seeds Grand Canyon, Sam Houston Remain Unbeaten Following Second Day Of 2023 University Credit Union WAC Baseball Tournament
MESA, Ariz. – The top two seeds in the 2023 University Credit Union WAC Baseball Tournament held serve in their debuts on Wednesday. No. 2 seed Sam Houston outlasted No. 5 Abilene Christian 11-7 in 11 innings before No. 1 Grand Canyon downed No. 7 UTRGV 3-1 in the nightcap at Hohokam Stadium.
The 2023 University Credit Union WAC Baseball Tournament continues with four more games on Thursday. All games will air on ESPN+.
Game 3 – No. 3 Utah Valley 16, No. 4 Seattle U 6 (8 Innings) | Box Score
In a game of momentum swings, Seattle U took a 2-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth inning before Utah Valley scored four runs each in the fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth innings to end the game via run-rule. The Wolverines clubbed 18 hits in the contest, with only four going for extra bases.
Daniel Dickinson reached base four times out of the leadoff spot for Utah Valley, ripping three hits while scoring a game-high four runs. Cole Jordan reached safely in all six plate appearances, going 4-for-4 four RBI and a pair of runs scored for the Wolverines. Four other Utah Valley hitters finished the game with multiple hits, and Burke Camper matched Jordan with four RBI.
Derek Gallos logged two hits and drove in three runs in defeat for Seattle U, while Trevor Antonson led the team with three base hits. Cole Kleckner and Hudson Shupe each scored two runs in the setback for the Redhawks.
Game 4 – No. 6 UT Arlington 8, No. 8 California Baptist 4 | Box Score
UTA answered a two-run CBU bottom of the first inning with three runs in the top of the second and never looked back to stave off elimination. The Lancers tied the contest with a run in the bottom of the fifth frame that was immediately countered by two runs from the Mavericks in the top of the sixth for a 5-3 lead. UTA added three insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning to push the lead out of reach.
Ryan Black and Matt Cavanagh each drove in two runs for UTA in the victory, while Tyler Rice and Cade Sumbler each scored two runs apiece. Gabe Starks threw a solid seven innings on the hill, yielding three runs with a walk and four strikeouts to pick up the win
Garret Ostrander, Mitchell Simon and Shayne Simpson all had two-hit days for CBU, with Simon finishing with two RBI in defeat.
Game 5 – No. 2 Sam Houston 11, No. 5 Abilene Christian 7 (11 Innings) | Box Score
The first extra-inning game at the WAC Baseball Tournament since 2019 did not disappoint, as Sam Houston and ACU combined for 18 runs on 25 hits. The Bearkats broke a 7-all deadlock in the home half of the 11th on a Justin Wishkoski grand slam to left field, the first grand slam in extra innings in the history of the tournament.
Wishkoski finished the game with three base hits and five RBI to lead Sam Houston, and Easton Lloyd chipped in three hits, an RBI and a pair of runs. Joe Redfield reached base three times out of the leadoff spot for the Bearkats and scored three runs on the night.
Chandler David threw four hitless innings of relief for Sam Houston to pick up the win, issuing one walk and striking out four ACU batters on 57 pitches.
Four different ACU hitters logged two hits in the setback, with Grayson Tatrow ripping two triples and scoring a pair of runs. Crew Parke added two RBI to the Wildcat cause.
Game 6 – No. 1 Grand Canyon 3, No. 7 UTRGV 1 | Box Score
A pitchers’ duel in the final game of day two saw top-seed GCU tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the sixth and take the lead with a pair of runs in the home half of the seventh in a 3-1 triumph. UTRGV left eight runners aboard during the contest, hitting just 1-for-11 (.091) with runners in scoring position.
Elijah Buries finished the evening with two hits and the game-winning run for GCU, while Homer Bush Jr. chipped in an RBI and a key grab in center to stymie the UTRGV attack with one out in the top of the eighth.
Grant Richardson spun 1.1 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win for GCU. A scoreless inning and a third from Nathan Ward earned a save to close the game.
Montclair Cain grooved two triples for UTRGV on the night, while Roberto Gonzalez drove in Isaac Lopez for the lone Vaquero run.
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