PHOENIX—In the series finale between the first and second place teams in the Western Athletic Conference, Grand Canyon (30-21, 17-6 WAC) defeated CSU Bakersfield (30-19-1, 15-8-1 WAC) 6-4 Sunday.

As a result of winning twice during the weekend, the Antelopes lead the WAC by 1.5 games over Seattle U and two games over CSUB. The Redhawks (26-23, 16-8 WAC) defeated Chicago State 11-1 on Sunday to move past CSUB into second in the league standings. GCU is ineligible for the WAC Tournament as part of the program's transition to Division I. The Roadrunners and the Redhawks would receive the first round by in the May 20-24 WAC Tournament.  

“We were outplayed by a better team today, so you have to tip your cap to them and move forward,” said CSUB head coach Bill Kernen.

Max Carter (So., Bakersfield, Calif., Stockdale HS) doubled to open the second for the Roadrunners. He moved to third on a Jake Repavich wild pitch and came around to score on a Mylz Jones (Jr., Palmdale, Calif., Paraclete HS) sacrifice fly. The Antelopes recorded three consecutive singles to begin their half of the second. Ben Mauseth tied the score when his ground out to first drove in Garrison Schwartz. Humberto Aranda also grounded out to first, but it was a productive out as Greg Saenz scored to give the 'Lopes a 2-1 lead.  Jon Kealoha grounded out to second for the final out.

Grand Canyon scored three runs with two outs in the bottom of the third. CSUB threatened in the top of the fourth when the Roadrunners loaded the bases with two outs.  Soloman Williams (Sr., Long Beach, Calif., Golden West College) walked to earn an RBI. Chance Gusbeth (Jr., Lancaster, Calif., Desert Christian HS) couldn't extend the inning as GCU starter Jake Repavich struck him out.

The Antelopes' struck again with two outs in the bottom of the fourth when Paul Panaccione tripled in a run. Chad De La Guerra, the WAC leader in RBI's, was intentionally walked to bring up Schwartz.  CSUB got out of the jam when Logan Trowbridge (Sr., Santa Cruz, Calif., College of San Mateo) threw out De La Guerra on a delayed steal attempt.

Williams began the CSUB seventh with an opposite field double to left. After Ryan Grotjohn (So., Cave Creek, Ariz., Brophy College Prep) was announced as a pinch-hitter for Gusbeth, GCU brought in lefty Jaren Drumand to face the left-handed hitting Grotjohn. The Roadrunners sent in a second pinch-hitter, the right-handed hitting Cody White (So., Hemet, Calif., Hemet HS). White singled to give CSUB runners on the corners. Jordie Hein (Sr., Scottsdale, Ariz., Chapparal HS) reached on a fielder's choice that went to second, but Williams scored on the play. With the count 0-2 on Joey Sanchez (So., Pico Rivera, Calif., El Rancho HS), Hein advanced to second on a Drumand wild pitch. Sanchez grounded out to short as Hein moved to third. Aranda, the Grand Canyon catcher, attempted to pick off Hein at third. His throw sailed into left field, allowing Hein to score. David Metzgar (So., Lancaster, Calif., Paraclete HS), the Roadrunners' leading hitter, couldn't sustain the momentum as he grounded out to third for out number three.

With one out, Schwartz walked and advanced to third on Saenz's third hit of the day, a double to left. Carter relieved Rogowski to face Brian Kraft, who registered three hits in his first three at-bats. Kraft was intentionally walked to set up an out at any base. Mauseth, who was 0-for-3 to that point, fouled out to third. With two outs, Carter struck out Aranda to put down the 'Lopes threat.

Cayton and Trowbridge reached on back-to-back infield singles with two outs in the top of the eighth. In a lefty-lefty matchup, Travis Garcia-Perreira, the fifth Grand Canyon pitcher, got Williams to fly out to left on the first pitch he made to the CSUB first baseman. GCU closer Mick Vorhof retired the first two CSUB batters he faced in the ninth. Sanchez singled to right before Metzgar flew out to right for the final out of the weekend.

Kraft was 3-for-4 while Saenz went 3-for-3 with two RBI's. Kris Cayton (R-Sr., Manhattan Beach, Calif., LA Harbor College) paced CSUB by going 3-for-4. Carter had two hits.  

The Roadrunners return home for the final time Tuesday against No. 6 UC Santa Barbara. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Tickets are available at Vallitix.com. CSU Bakersfield concludes the regular season with a three-game series at Chicago State beginning Thursday at 6 p.m. (CDT).

Grand Canyon concludes the regular season at fourth place Sacramento State (29-23, 15-9 WAC) next weekend. Seattle U travels to Northern Colorado (16-27 overall) who is tied for fifth in the league (13-11) with North Dakota (19-24 overall) and Utah Valley (17-31 overall). North Dakota travels to New Mexico State (11-35-1, 7-16-1 WAC) while Utah Valley hosts Texas-Pan American (19-29-1, 4-19-1 WAC) next weekend.  

“We still have all of our objectives in play and possible for us to achieve, so we must just get past this and go onto the next challenge,” Kernen said.

~GoRunners.com~