{"id":251587,"date":"2026-04-04T12:24:14","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T12:24:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/251587\/"},"modified":"2026-04-04T12:24:14","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T12:24:14","slug":"frey-spins-complete-game-shutout-to-even-series","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/251587\/","title":{"rendered":"Frey spins complete game shutout to even series"},"content":{"rendered":"

FRESNO, Calif. \u2014 Grand Canyon got one of the finest pitching performances in recent memory on Friday night, as Chase Frey<\/a> fired a nine-inning complete-game shutout to lead GCU past Fresno State 3-0 at Pete Beiden Field and even the series. It marked the program’s first nine-inning complete-game shutout since Connor Mattison’s<\/a> no-hitter on March 29, 2024 and just the second in the last dozen seasons.<\/p>\n

Frey was in command from the opening pitch, allowing only two hits and one walk while striking out eight across 95 pitches. The junior left-hander retired seven of Fresno State’s nine leadoff batters and repeatedly kept innings from building, delivering the type of start that changed the tone of the weekend.<\/p>\n

“I felt really good,” Frey said. “I came out here, I trusted my stuff, I executed. I had faith in what (interim head coach Nathan Bannister<\/a>) was calling. I had faith in my guys on my defense. I just tried to get ahead, get some early contact.”<\/p>\n

The early support arrived immediately. On GCU’s first scoring chance, graduate catcher Mito Perez<\/a> ripped a ground-rule double in the first before junior designated hitter Trevor Schmidt<\/a> lined an RBI single to right-center for a 1-0 lead.<\/p>\n

The Lopes added two more in the second when junior shorstop Camden Bates<\/a> worked a walk, stole second, advanced on a wild pitch and scored on junior right fielder Billy Scaldeferri’s<\/a> RBI single before Perez followed with another RBI knock to make it 3-0.<\/p>\n

That cushion allowed Frey to attack. Bannister emphasized how important the quick offense was in allowing the lefty to stay on the offensive from the mound.<\/p>\n

“We talked about execution and, as a pitching staff, our job is to give us a chance to win,” Bannister said. “Our offense went out and put runs on the board early, and he pitched with the lead.”<\/p>\n

Fresno State’s best opportunity came in the sixth, when its\u00a0leadoff hitter doubled to left-center and moved to third with one out. Frey responded with the defining sequence of the night, punching out the Bulldogs’ No. 3 and 4 hitters in succession to strand the runner 90 feet away and preserve the shutout.<\/p>\n

“That was awesome,” Bannister said. “They got a runner to third with less than two outs, and then I think he went strikeout-strikeout. We want them to pitch like they’re on offense. So when they get three outs and put up zeros like that, I think it fires up the whole team.”<\/p>\n

The outing was unlike anything Frey had experienced in his college career.<\/p>\n

“No, that was surreal,” Frey said. “I don’t really think I’ve gone over seven (innings) in college, maybe seven only a couple times. That was something really special.”<\/p>\n

The win carried significance for a GCU club looking to notch its first Mountain West series win.<\/p>\n

“We’ve been struggling so far in Mountain West play, but I don’t think it’s really a skill thing,” Frey said. “We just need some momentum and hopefully now this is getting us in the right direction.”<\/p>\n

With the series now even, the Lopes have a chance Saturday to secure a road series win and continue building momentum.<\/p>\n

“It’s huge,” Bannister said. “Now it’s a chance to go win a series and really assert our presence tomorrow by winning the first pitch.”<\/p>\n

The Lopes and Bulldogs conclude the series on Saturday at noon.

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