Phoenix, AZ – The Academy of Art University baseball team scored rallied late in both contests at Brazell Stadium, but Grand Canyon managed to take the Friday doubleheader. A strong pitching performance by the Antelopes in game one led to their 7-1 victory, then the Urban Knights scored three runs in the final inning of game two despite GCU's 7-5 win. Sophomore infielder Stefen Henderson hit his third home run of the season during the game two comeback and finished the contest 2-for-4 with two runs scored and one run batted in.

“One thing is that the kids never gave up until the last out was made,” Head Coach Brian Guinn said. “They kept battling and good things started happening. If we can start off tomorrow like we ended today, we'll be fine. The kids are starting to get a feel swinging the bats and hits are starting to fall. We'll keep battling and we'll get some breaks here and there.”

After both offenses were quiet in the first inning, Grand Canyon rallied for four runs in the second. Freshman infielder Wade Broadstreet got himself into scoring position via a single and a stolen base, but was eventually stranded at second. ART U's pitching staff then went to work, putting together three innings of scoreless baseball. In the third and fourth innings of that span, freshman right-hander Nick Giotta (0-3) limited the GCU batters to just one hit.

The sixth inning saw the Antelopes put three more runs on the scoreboard, but the Grand Canyon bats were again quieted in the seventh and eighth. A late-game Urban Knights rally was then foreshadowed in the eighth when senior outfielder Ryan Worley led off with a double. Though Academy of Art did not score in that inning, the Knights did get one back in the ninth. Junior infielder Zach Babitt started with a walk and senior infielder Darnell Quinney singled, eventually leading to an RBI fielder's choice for Worley. The 'Lopes would escape further damage with a 7-1 final score.


Early in game two, Henderson got the Knights going with a single in the second inning followed by a hit by pitch for Broadstreet. Later, with the bases loaded, junior infielder Jared DePatto brought one run home on a groundout to give ART U a quick 1-0 advantage.

Grand Canyon responded with a five-run second inning and a RBI triple in the third, but Academy of Art lefty starter Zach Mexicano (2-3) then retired six consecutive 'Lopes over the middle innings. One more run came in the fifth to set up the 7-1 GCU advantage heading into the sixth.

Like the opening contest, however, the Knights' bats heated up in the late innings of game two. The sixth was highlighted by a solo home run over the centerfield fence off the bat of Henderson. It was his third of the season; all of which have now come in his last six games.

With two runners on in the seventh, Babitt ripped a double to right and plated both teammates. Quinney then singled to create a runners on the corners situation and Worley drove in Babitt on a sacrifice fly. Game two eventually went to Grand Canyon 7-5, but it was not without drama in the final innings.

“One guy is starting to hit and then you see another starting as well,” Coach Guinn said. “Stefen is starting to find some holes and we hope it gets him going. Stef is seeing the ball better and if [opponents] make mistakes, he's recognizing it. And Zach has a good approach to hitting going that's getting him his hits. It's just a matter of time because when gets hot, it's going to be hard to keep him off base. Everyone has those peaks and valleys.”

Babitt and Henderson had particularly strong offensive showings in the second contest. Babitt was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and one run scored while Henderson's homer gave him his eighth extra-base hit of the season. Quinney also had hits in both games on Friday, 2-for-4 to start and 1-for-4 in the second, to push his season-best hitting streak to six games. Mexicano pitched a complete 6.0 innings despite taking the loss in the second contest. ART U moves to 2-14 overall, 2-8 in PacWest competition.

For Grand Canyon, outfielder Tyler Bair and Joe Jacobson were major sources of offense, combining to go 7-for-14 with seven runs scored, one RBI, and one stolen base on the day. Allowing one earned run on four hits over 8.1 innings pitched with 10 strikeouts, starter Brady Wager (2-3) picked up the win in game one. Taking the game two victory was Coltin White (3-2) who pitched 6.0 innings with two runs allowed on seven hits to go with two strikeouts. GCU is now 8-12 overall this season, 4-6 in the PacWest.

Saturday, Mar. 12 features another doubleheader between Academy of Art and Grand Canyon at Brazell Stadium. This pair of games is scheduled to begin at 12:00 PM MST (11:00 AM PST).