PHOENIX – The Grand Canyon University Lopes scored six runs in the opening three innings and never looked back, defeating Wichita State, 9-1, in the 2019 season opener for both teams in front of a record crowd of 4,562 Friday, Feb. 15, at Brazell Field at GCU Ballpark. The contest was the first of four games for the Shockers in the 2019 Angels College Classic.

Wichita State (0-1) is scheduled to play Grand Canyon (1-0) again on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 4 p.m. MT at Tempe Diablo Stadium before facing No. 5 Stanford in the night cap at approximately 7:30 p.m. MT. 

Senior Luke Ritter led the Shockers at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a triple, while freshman Jack Sigrist drove in WSU's lone run of the game on his first collegiate hit – a double. Mason O'Brien also doubled in the game, respectively. 

Senior right-hander Clayton McGinness (0-1) suffered the loss on the mound for the Shockers after giving up five earned runs on eight hits with two walks and a career-high tying five strikeouts in four innings pitched. 

Pikai Winchester went 2-for-3 with a double and three RBI, and Kona Quiggle added a triple, solo home run and an RBI, pacing the Lopes in the batter's box. 

In his Grand Canyon debut, Kade Mechals (1-0) earned the victory after allowing no earned runs on four hits with one walk and nine strikeouts in six innings of work. Cole Hoskins picked up the save after tossing three innings in relief and giving up one earned run on a pair of hits with three strikeouts. 

GCU outhit WSU in the contest, 12-6, and committed no errors compared to three for the Shockers.