Lopes return to PacWest play for pair with Hilo

Softball

2-16-09

Yasmeen Watkins screamed outwardly:

"It's just grounders!"

She didn't want to go chasing balls that were sprayed all over the infield during warm-ups. She wanted the customary Ann Pierson-hit bee-lines on the ground.

Well, now that the Antelopes return to Pacific West Conference play Tuesday in the doubleheader with Hawai'i at Hilo which begins at noon, there's no telling what to expect. Or where these balls will have her or the Antelopes running toward to make the defensive plays they've been making these past few weeks.

Grand Canyon (12-3, 0-2 PacWest) is looking to rebound from last week's hiccup to begin conference play against a team that has traditionally put together a pretty product. Hilo (3-1, 1-1) has not played since Feb. 7 after opening the season with four games against BYU-Hawaii, only two that counted for league play.

"Hilo's always a tough opponent," Pierson said moments after wrapping up her team's sixth straight win in which Hilo was on hand to scout.

Last season, the Lopes took three of four from the Vulcans, who were in a peculiar predicament with a shorthanded team. GCU finished third in the league in 2008, while Hilo was fourth. Over the years, GCU and Hilo have each won seven games in the schools' brief opponent history with each other.

Regardless if Grand Canyon went unbeaten to win the NFCA Leadoff Classic over the weekend as the Antelopes did, or that GCU lost a pair of rough outings against Dixie State to begin league play prior to the tournament, not much has changed. At least not in terms of what GCU is trying to accomplish business-wise.

"I feel like our approach is to go out and win every game," Pierson said. "I don't know we change a mental approach."

Like she said after capping a perfect weekend, when all parts are working right, this Grand Canyon team is dangerous.

Let PacWest play resume.

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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