Grand Canyon, Arizona Set for Midweek Rematch in Tucson

TUCSON, Ariz. (Interstat) — Intrastate foes Grand Canyon and Arizona will meet for the second time this month when the Antelopes visit the Wildcats at Hi Corbett Field on Tuesday.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. local time under clear skies with a game-time temperature expected near 91 degrees Fahrenheit.

Both teams enter with identical struggles, seeking momentum. Grand Canyon is 8-17 overall after dropping three of four at Washington State over the weekend. Arizona is 8-15 following a series loss to Texas Tech at home.

The Antelopes won the previous meeting 7-5 in Phoenix on March 3. Arizona’s Jackson Forbes homered in that game, a bright spot in the loss.

A key matchup will feature Grand Canyon right-hander Garrett Ahern, coming off a brilliant outing. In Sunday’s 6-2 loss at Washington State, Ahern threw six no-hit innings, allowing one earned run with four strikeouts. His season has been inconsistent, however, mixing that gem with a four-walk, four-run performance over four innings at Utah on March 6.

He will face a Wildcats lineup powered by Forbes. The left fielder is Arizona’s most consistent offensive threat, driving in seven runs over the three-game Texas Tech series. He went 2 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs in Sunday’s 12-10 defeat.

Both bullpens will be tested. Grand Canyon’s Trevor Schmidt provided the offense Sunday with a 3-for-4, two-RBI day, while reliever Brock Toney added a scoreless inning. For Arizona, reliever Matthew Martinez struck out four over 2 2/3 hitless frames against Texas Tech.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-2 Arizona victory.

Following Tuesday’s contest, Grand Canyon begins a three-game home series against San Diego State on Friday. Arizona opens a road series at UCF in Orlando, Florida, on Friday.