OREM, Utah – Pacen Hayes hit a game-tying, two-run home run in the eighth inning for Utah Valley University, but Grand Canyon University erupted for 10 runs in the ninth inning to win 14-4 and earn a series sweep in WAC baseball on Sunday.
The Wolverines (5-22, 2-4) trailed 4-2 in the bottom of the eighth with two outs when Hayes – who homered twice in Saturday's game – hit the first pitch he saw out to left. The home run also scored
Alexander Marco, who was hit by a pitch to start the inning.
In the top of the ninth, the Lopes (15-12, 4-2) had nine straight hitters reach base to start the inning and had six runs come in before the first out, a sacrifice fly that added a seventh run in the frame. GCU sent 15 hitters to the plate and scored the 10 runs on six hits while also taking advantage of three walks, two hit batters and three UVU errors in the inning.
Utah Valley starter
Walker Ramsey pitched well, lasting seven innings and allowing two earned runs (three total) on seven hits while striking out five. Ramsey surrendered three runs in the first two innings but ended his day with five scoreless frames.
Quin Cotton had an RBI double in the first to put Grand Canyon on top early. In the second, Preston Pavlica hit a solo home run on the first pitch of the inning and the Lopes made it 3-0 later in the inning after executing a double steal of second and home.
Michael Beltran went 3-for-5 while
Ryan Eastburn and
Mick Madsen both had two hits. Hayes drove in three runs on the day, including a sacrifice fly to get the Wolverines on the board in the second.
The Wolverines got within a run in the fourth after Madsen singled to lead off the inning and later scored on a
Trevor Howell base hit.
Pavlica and Austin Bull both had three hits for Grand Canyon with four different Lopes driving in two runs apiece. Jack Schneider started and lasted five innings, allowing two runs on seven hits while striking out four. He was in line for the win before Hayes' game-tying home run.
The Wolverines hit the road next weekend for a three-game WAC series at Northern Colorado beginning Friday afternoon at 2 p.m. MT.
