Big Third-Inning Run Propels CSU to 6-4 Win over Grand Canyon

Junior Jacob Vanitvelt batted 2-for-3 with four RBIs and a stolen base in tonight's 6-4 win over Grand Canyon

Box Score

CHICAGO – Junior Jacob Vanitvelt (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) blasted his first grand slam in a CSU uniform as part of a big third-inning rally for host Chicago State as it defeated Grand Canyon, 6-4, in the first game of a weekend Western Athletic Conference baseball series tonight at Cougar Stadium.

Vanitvelt finished the game hitting 2-for-4 with four runs batted in and also recorded a stolen base to lead the Green and White.

The visitors opened the scoring with a 1-0 lead in the first inning after Ian Evans hit an RBI sacrifice fly center field to bring home Austin Bull from third base.

CSU responded with its rally in the third inning to capture the lead at 6-1 with Vanitvelt's grand slam serving as the highlight. Senior Rick Salazar (Bloomingdale, Ill./Plainfield South) and junior Matt Sullivan (Lake in the Hills, Ill./Huntley) also recorded RBI singles in the stanza.

Two more runs crossed the plate for the 'Lopes in the sixth inning as they sliced their deficit to 6-3 which included Evans posted a single then stole home five plays later.

GCU pulled within two (6-4) in the ninth on an RBI sacrifice fly to left field with the bases loaded to score Quin Cotton from third base, but junior Zach Thomas (Joliet, Ill./Joliet West ) forced a groundout on the next play to close the game.

Russell and Salazar each hit 2-for-4 and scored a run for the Cougars (8-22, 4-3). Redshirt junior Brad Moore (Mount Prospect, Ill./Hersey) recorded six strikeouts over six innings thrown to capture the win while allowing three runs on three hits. Thomas threw a scoreless ninth inning to earn his second save of the season.

Bull finished the game going 1-for-3 at the plate with two stolen bases for Grand Canyon (14-19, 8-2), while Jake Wong (4-2) took the loss after giving up six runs on six hits in three innings of work.

Both teams will face off in the second game of this weekend's series tomorrow afternoon at 3 p.m. in a live broadcast on the WAC Digital Network.

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Players Mentioned

#33 Brad Moore: P; 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior; L-L

#22 Rick Salazar: IF; 6' 0"; Senior; R-R

#26 Matt Sullivan: IF; 5' 10"; Junior; R-R

#44 Zach Thomas: P/OF; 5' 11"; Junior; L-L

#23 Jacob Vanitvelt: OF; 5' 10"; Junior; L-L

Players Mentioned

#33 Brad Moore
: 5' 10"; Redshirt Junior; L-L
: P

#22 Rick Salazar
: 6' 0"; Senior; R-R
: IF

#26 Matt Sullivan
: 5' 10"; Junior; R-R
: IF

#44 Zach Thomas
: 5' 11"; Junior; L-L
: P/OF

#23 Jacob Vanitvelt
: 5' 10"; Junior; L-L
: OF

Scoreboard

Players Mentioned

Players Mentioned