Campas and Linert Combine on Four-Hitter, But 'Lopes Lose 3-2 at Desert Stinger

Sunday, February 13

Las Vegas, NV

2:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Central Washington

Teddy Barry

Campas and Linert Combine on Four-Hitter, But 'Lopes Lose 3-2 at Desert Stinger

2/13/2011 5:36:03 PM | Softball

By: Joel Horn

Juniors Ivy Campas (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside, Phoenix College) and Kirstin Linert (Phoenix, AZ/Sandra Day O'Connor, Glendale Community College) combined to allow just four hits, but No. 25 Central Washington managed to score two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and hold on for a 3-2 victory over No. 14 Grand Canyon University in the 2011 MSUB Desert Stinger Softball Tournament today at Majestic Park in Las Vegas.

It was the Antelopes' final game of the second-annual, three-day tournament. They won three of five games and raised their overall record to 6-5.

The Wildcats, the defending Great Northwest Athletic Conference champions and preseason pick to win the crown again this year, scored in the bottom of the first when right fielder Taylor Trautmann walked and advanced to second base on center fielder Keilani Cruz's sacrifice bunt. Shortstop Samantha Petrich reached on an error by GCU first baseman Michelle Rasmussen (Puyallup, WA/Emerald Ridge, Arizona Western College), and Trautmann advanced to third. Petrich got caught in a pickle attempting to steal second, and Trautmann scored on the play.

The 'Lopes tied the score at 1 in the top of the third inning when freshman second baseman Claire Zampini (Phoenix, AZ/Deer Valley) doubled to center, sophomore right fielder Samantha Wyatt (Glendale, AZ/Independence) walked and senior left fielder Teddy Barry (Glendale, AZ/Greenway, Phoenix College) singled, scoring Zampini.

CWU pushed two more runs across the plate in the fifth when Petrich singled to right field and third baseman Kelsey Haupert, the cleanup hitter, homered to right field off of Campas, who allowed all four hits and three runs, all earned. She also walked six and had three strikeouts.

Haupert batted .353 with GNAC single-season record 18 home runs and 65 RBI in 2010.

GCU put another run on the scoreboard in the sixth when senior third baseman Montana Lucas (Glendale, AZ/Cactus, Phoenix College) reached on an error by second baseman Carrina Wagner. After Linert struck out swinging, junior Kaycee Gamez (Eugene, OR/Sheldon), pinch hitting for Rasmussen, singled to right. Lucas advanced to third on the play. Junior catcher C.J. Norvell (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite, Chandler-Gilbert Community College) singled to left, driving in Lucas.

The 'Lopes threatened in the seventh when Barry doubled to left-center with one out, but Wildcats pitcher Lauren Hadenfeld struck out freshman designated player Rachel Meyer (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) and Lucas to end the game. Hadenfield, who was named GNAC Pitcher of the Year last season after posting a 24-6 record with a 2.26 ERA and 207 strikeouts, recorded 11 strikeouts in the game while walking one.

GCU had eight hits and left nine runners on base.

Zampini was 2-for-4 with one run scored and Barry, the 2010 Pacific West Conference Player of the Year and 2011 Preseason Player of the Year, was 3-for-4 with one RBI.

Linert did not allow any hits, walked one and had two strikeouts in her two innings pitched.

The 'Lopes don't play again until Feb. 20, when they have a doubleheader against Cal State Dominguez Hills in Carson, Calif.

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