GCU Scores Three Runs in Bottom of Seventh to Beat San Francisco State

Monday, March 22

GCU

12:00 p.m Single

Grand Canyon

San Francisco State University

Senior designated player (Scottsdale, AZ/Horizon)

Tracy Lubken

GCU Scores Three Runs in Bottom of Seventh to Beat San Francisco State

3/22/2010 5:16:48 PM | Softball

By: Joel Horn

The No. 10-ranked Grand Canyon University softball team scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to beat San Francisco State University, 5-4, today at Stapleton-Pierson Stadium. It was the 'Lopes' 11th straight win.

GCU improved to 25-4 this season, while San Francisco State fell to 11-13.

The 'Lopes were losing, 4-2, in the bottom of the seventh. Senior right fielder Nicki Lorenzi (Phoenix, AZ/Horizon), the team's leadoff hitter, singled to left field. Sophomore center fielder Kara Holtorf (Peoria, AZ/Sunrise Mountain) bunted back to the pitcher, but there was no play at second base and no one was covering first. Senior designated player Tracy Lubken (Scottsdale, AZ/Horizon) doubled off the wall in left, scoring both runners. Junior left fielder Teddy Barry (Phoenix, AZ/Greenway) walked. Senior second baseman Kelli Bridges (Couer d'Alene, ID/Lake City) dropped a bunt in front of the plate, but there was no play at first.

The bases were loaded with nobody out when junior first baseman Michelle Rasmussen (Puyallup, WA/Emerald Ridge) stepped to the plate. She hit a ground ball to the first baseman, who hesitated for a second before throwing the ball to the catcher.

Lubken was safe.

Lubken was one of many heroes for GCU, driving in three runs, one on a sacrifice fly. Lorenzi also had a good day, going 2-for-4 with a stolen base and one run scored. Holtorf went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored. Barry was 2-for-3 with a walk, two stolen bases and one run scored.

Bridges had a double to go with her bunt single, as well as an RBI. Rasmussen was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Junior third baseman Montana Lucas (Glendale, AZ/Cactus) ripped a pinch-hit single to right field in the sixth inning..

The 'Lopes had 13 hits to the Gators' nine, only two of which went for extra bases.

Senior Amy Searcy (Bixby, OK/Bixby) started for GCU and pitched 2 1/2 innings, allowed five hits and four runs (two of which were earned), walked none and had one strikeout.

Sophomore Ivy Campas (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside) replaced her and pitched the remaining 4 2/3 innings. She gave up four hits and no runs, walked three and recorded three strikeouts. Most importantly, she got the win, raising her season record to 12-2, the same as Searcy's.

GCU will travel later this week to Turlock Calif., where it will participate in the Stanislaus Tournament Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The 'Lopes' schedule for the tournament is as follows:

Friday, March 26

8:45 a.m. vs. CSU Dominguez Hills
11 a.m. vs. CSU Stanislaus
3:30 p.m. vs. San Francisco State

Saturday, March 27

9 a.m. vs. Chico State
1:30 p.m. vs. Humboldt State

Sunday, March 28

Tournament bracket play

###