The Grand Canyon University (GCU) Lopes are set to kick off their baseball season at the prestigious MLB Desert Invitational for the fourth consecutive year. The lineup for the tournament has been revealed, showcasing an intense set of matchups for the Lopes in 2026.
MLB Desert Invitational Opponents
The 2026 MLB Desert Invitational features a challenging schedule for GCU:
- Friday, February 13 at 6:00 PM: vs. Northeastern at Brazell Field, GCU Ballpark
- Saturday, February 14 at 1:00 PM: vs. Penn State at Salt River Fields, Scottsdale
- Sunday, February 15 at 5:30 PM: vs. Nebraska at Sloan Park, Mesa
Details on Opening Opponents
All three opponents are formidable, having finished in the top 85 of last season’s RPI rankings. Notably, two of these teams made appearances in the NCAA Tournament last year.
- Northeastern, from Brookline, Massachusetts, posted an impressive 49-11 record and had an RPI of 26.
- Penn State finished with a season record of 33-23 and ranked 85th in the RPI.
- Nebraska has reached the NCAA Tournament in consecutive years and ended 2025 with a 53rd RPI ranking.
Excitement at GCU Ballpark
GCU continues its tradition of hosting games in the MLB Desert Invitational at its home park. The Lopes have witnessed enthusiastic crowds, averaging over 5,000 attendees on Opening Day for the last four seasons. Past opponents in this thrilling opener have included notable teams such as Vanderbilt and TCU.
Penn State Matchup
The Lopes will renew their rivalry with Penn State, having previously faced them in 2018. GCU swept that series, highlighted by a remarkable 19-strikeout performance from Jake Wong. The Lopes won decisively, 8-1, followed by two tight victories, each ending 8-7.
Returning to Face Nebraska
GCU and Nebraska will meet for the third consecutive year. Last year resulted in a thrilling 3-1 victory for GCU against the then-No. 23 Huskers, featuring a clutch eighth-inning hit by Cannon Peery.
Nonconference Schedule Overview
GCU’s nonconference schedule appears exceptionally strong, featuring nine teams that participated in the 2025 NCAA Tournament. Eleven of the opponents finished in the top 100 of the RPI. The average RPI of these competitors stands at 90 across GCU’s 30 nonconference games.
This lineup for the MLB Desert Invitational promises to deliver an electrifying start to GCU’s season. Fans and players alike are eagerly anticipating what is sure to be an action-packed tournament. To learn more about GCU’s full schedule, visit El-Balad.
