Regis Baseball Drops Opener 11-6 to Grand Canyon

Phoenix, Ariz.: On a day when some people in the nation are bracing for two-feet of snow the Regis Ranger baseball team were welcomed by 70-degree weather in Phoenix, Ariz. The Rangers were not however welcomed by the Grand Canyon Antelopes who took the opening game of 2010 for both teams 11-6.

Regis jumped out to an early lead scoring two runs in the first inning. With one out and senior Jesus Arzaga at first, sophomore Alex Haag grounded to the pitcher in what looked like a double play but a good slide by Arzaga and a hustling Haag down the line the throw to first was late. Senior J.T. Putt then walked and fellow senior Patrick Farrell came to the plate and in a great at bat doubled off the left field wall driving in Haag and Putt.

Grand Canyon responded with three runs in the bottom of the first off sophomore Charlie Henderson who went six innings and after the first inning didn’t allow a run getting no decision.
The Rangers tied the game in the fifth inning after leadoff man senior Chris Steinbeck, who went 1-of-2, walked. Arzaga then sacrificed Steinbeck with a perfectly laid down bunt that almost went for a base hit. Steinbeck then advanced to third after Alex Haag lined out to the centerfielder. Putt drove in Steinbeck with a double that fell between the centerfielder and the rightfielder.

Grand Canyon broke it open in the seventh inning scoring four times and scored four more in the very next stanza. Regis cut into the lead in the ninth inning scoring two runs including junior Tim Terry’s first hit as a Ranger.

Junior Zach Blakeley and Putt each collected two hits, while Arzaga and Farrell each collected two RBIs.

The two teams will play games two and three of the four-game series tomorrow afternoon beginning at 1:00 p.m.

Click here for boxscore.