Despite a late-inning comeback, the Wildcats lost 12-7 last night to the Grand Canyon Antelopes.

Arizona (20-23 overall, 4-14 in the Pacific 10 Conference) dropped its seventh-consecutive game and its fourth straight at Sancet Field.

The game began with second baseman John Powers leading off the first inning with his first home run of the year. The Wildcats maintained that one-run lead all the way to the fourth inning when the Antelopes (16-19) exploded for seven runs sparked by a lead-off double by Kirby Jackson.

The fifth inning wasn't any better for Arizona as GCU started right where they left off in the fourth, scoring four runs for an 11-1 lead.

"When you give up back-to-back innings like that it is virtually impossible to come back," Arizona head coach Jerry Kindall said.

The Arizona coaches had done everything in their power to try and win this game. They started senior right-hander Matt Hendren (4-3) who was relieved after allowing seven hits and five runs with one walk and two strikouts in 3 2/3 innings. In hopes of stopping the fourth-inning carnage, they put in left-hander Shawn Barrington, who was slated to start in Friday's game against UCLA. Barrington was unsuccessful however, allowing five hits and two earned runs in only 2/3 innings. In desperation, they brought in junior sensation Tyler Haddix, who allowed two hits and two unearned runs with one walk and one strikout in 1 2/3 innings. The last hope for the Wildcats came in the form of senior right-hander Ben White. White was a rock, allowing only one hit in the remaining 4 1/3 innings.

"Our pitching, outside of Ben White, was not good," Kindall said. "Ben did an excellent job."

The Wildcats began their comeback in the sixth inning when third baseman Jake Thrower singled and designated hitter Kenny Corley hit a monster home run over the left-field fence making the score 12-3. Arizona continued the rally in the seventh when Thrower hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to score catcher Tom King. In the next two innings Arizona scored three more runs, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Antelope lead.

"Our chief aim was to win the ballgame," Kindall said. "The big innings killed us. We still need a victory, and tonight was a good opportunity for that. Regrettably, we couldn't hold it."