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Nate Bobrowski

Baseball St. Edward's Media Relations

Hilltoppers start out hot and hold on for 9-5 win over Grand Canyon; advances to semifinals

Nate Bobrowski
Box Score Post Game Recap

Full Game Video

CARY, N.C. – The fourth-ranked St. Edward's baseball team built a seven-run lead after the first two innings and hung on to defeat Grand Canyon, 9-5 in an elimination game Wednesday evening in the NCAA DII College World Series at the USA Baseball National Training Facility. The victory sends the Hilltoppers to the semifinals where they will meet #2 Minnesota State-Mankato on Thursday night at 7 p.m. EST.
 
St. Edward's (44-17) jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning when NATE BOBROWSKI ripped an RBI-single and pinch-hitter WES KOENIG drove in two more with a single of his own.
 
In the second inning, the Hilltoppers got an unearned run, while RANSOM LALONDE drove in a run with a single and C.J. Manning drove in two more with a single through the left side to make it 7-0.
 
Grand Canyon (40-19) would scratch out a single run in both the fourth and fifth innings but could not come up with the big hit, as Hilltopper starting pitcher COLLIN SHERROD made big pitches when he needed to. The Lopes would strand three runners combined in those two innings.
 
The biggest moment of the game came in the sixth inning. St. Edward's got a run back in the bottom of the fifth, but Grand Canyon loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the sixth. Sherrod induced a groundout to end the threat and leave them loaded.
 
The Lopes would tally three runs in the top of the seventh inning, but Hilltopper closer A.J. Rataic came on in relief and shut the door with his longest outing of the season. The righthander went three innings of shutout baseball, allowing just two hits while walking one and striking out three to record his 11th save of the season.
 
Sherrod (6-1) picked up the win, allowing four runs (three earned) off of 10 hits, while walking one and striking out four batters.
 
St. Edward's pounded out 14 hits compared to 12 for the Lopes. LaLonde led the way with a 3-for-4 day. JOE PIROZZOLO, Manning, Koenig, and CUTTER RUNTE all had two hits each.
 
St. Edward's will face Minnesota State-Mankato in the semifinals. First pitch is set for 7:00 p.m. EST on Thursday at the USA Baseball National Training Facility. The Hilltoppers will have to defeat the Mavericks twice to advance to the championship game on Saturday. Mankato is 2-0 in the tournament so far. Live video and stats will be offered on the Hilltopper Athletic Website.
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