PHOENIX, Ariz. — Seattle U baseball (5-9, 0-1 WAC) dropped its Western Athletic Conference opener on Friday, as Grand Canyon (6-9-1, 3-2 WAC) rallied from behind for 5-3 decision in the first of a four-game set.
The Redhawks scored twice in the first and held the advantage till the home half of the fifth when GCU capitalized on a throwing error that resulted in two runs and helped the Lopes to a 3-2 lead. Grand Canyon then scored once more in the sixth, before both teams added a run in the seventh.
Seattle U was out hit, 14-10, and left nine runners on base, while the Lopes stranded 10.
"I thought both teams played a really clean game tonight," said Seattle U head coach Donny Harrel. "They were able to take advantage of the one crack we gave them in the fifth. We had our opportunities, but they were able to convert and get the runs that they needed. We have to simply keep competing and try to get a lead and keep it."
Justin Mazzone accounted for Seattle U opening run as he was driven across thanks to a double by Austin Lively. Matt Boissoneault then touched home with help from Kyle Sherick.
Mazzone reached on his seventh two-base knock of the season before singling in the third, and finishing with a 2-for-4 night at the plate. Boissoneault also hit for 2-for-4 as he registered a single in the sixth.
After notching a single in the fifth, Sherick continued swing a hot bat in the seventh, resulting in an 0-1 pitch over the right field fence. The solo home run was Sherick's first of the season and first since May 11, 2019. He concluded the night with a 3-for-3 performance, as he reached base in the ninth on a hit by pitch.
Seattle U starter Alex Jemal (1-3) was charged with the loss as he surrendered three runs, one earned, on 10 hits through five innings of work. Jemal kept GCU scoreless through the first four innings as he stranded one runner in the first and third, while escaping a bases loaded jam in the second and two runners in the fourth. He then made way for Peter Chronowski, who tossed three innings of relief, conceding two runs on four hits.
Seattle U will resume the series with Grand Canyon tomorrow with a scheduled doubleheader. First pitch of the game one is slated for 2 pm PT.