Rutgers Baseball will head out West for their next weekend series, as they will take on Grand Canyon University in a four-game series starting Friday night.
Grand Canyon opened their season 2-2 record with wins versus San Diego State and Nebraska.
With that being said, here are three Grand Canyon Antelopes to watch this weekend ahead of the series.
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GAME ONE (2/21): 8:00pm ET - ESPN+
GAME TWO (2/22): 3:00pm ET - ESPN+
GAME THREE (2/22): 6:00pm ET - ESPN+
GAME FOUR (2/23): 2:20pm ET - ESPN+
FIRST BASEMAN ZACH YORKE
Junior first baseman Zach Yorke is one of the best power hitters in all of college baseball. He is a two-year starter for the Antelopes and will be once again likely become one of their biggest offensive contributors this season.
During the 2024 season, Yorke played in 60 games while slashing .285/.390/.478 with 65 hits, nine doubles, 11 home runs, 50 RBIs, 41 walks, and a .868 OPS. In the WAC, Yorke ranked in the Top 10 in walks, sacrifice flies, runs scored, and RBIs.
Early in the 2025 season, he has been one of Grand Canyon’s most productive hitters once again, as he's 4-for-13 with a home run, two RBIs, three runs scored, one walk, one hit by pitch, and a .875 OPS.
STARTING PITCHER ISSAC LYON
Junior right-handed pitcher Isaac Lyon is expected to be the Friday starter for Grand Canyon and was not only one of the best pitchers for the Antelopes last season, but also posted some of the best numbers in the WAC.
Last year, he made 17 appearances and 11 starts, while posting a 6-1 record with a 3.97 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 1.8 BB/9, and 8.7 K/9. He was also named First Team All-WAC.
In his first start of the season, Lyon struggled a bit versus Vanderbilt as he threw four innings allowing seven hits, four runs, no walks, and four strikeouts. He has a fastball that sits in the low 90s and tops out at 93 mph, along with a good slider and changeup in his pitching arsenal. Expect Lyon to pound the strike zone and he also does a great job of limiting free passes.
SHORTSTOP EMILIO BARRERAS
Junior middle infielder Emilio Barreras is the leading hitter for Grand Canyon and was the Antelopes ninth batter last season, where he was highly productive.
In his sophomore season, Barreras played in all 61 games and started in 58 of them while slashing .316/.388/.401 with 59 hits, nine doubles, two triples, one home run, 34 RBIs, and a .789 OPS. He earned All-WAC Defensive Team honors for the second consecutive season at shortstop.
The Arizona native currently leads the Antelopes’ offense in batting this season, as he’s 6-for-15 with one double, one RBI, three walks, three runs scored, and a .993 OPS. Barreras is also an elite defensive player in a premier defensive position.
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