Softball Earns Another Split on Day Two of GCU Invitational

Saturday, February 5

Mesa, AZ (Quail Run)

11:00 a.m.

Grand Canyon

Midwestern

Kaycee Gamez

Softball Earns Another Split on Day Two of GCU Invitational

2/5/2011 4:51:29 PM | Softball

By: Joel Horn

The No. 14-ranked Grand Canyon University softball team split two games on the second day of the GCU Invitational today at the Quail Run Sports Complex in Mesa. The Antelopes lost to No. 23-ranked Midwestern State, 5-3, and beat Western New Mexico, 10-7.

Yesterday, GCU (2-2) defeated Western New Mexico, 8-2, and lost to Cal State Monterey Bay, 5-0.

In today's first game, the 'Lopes took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third inning when senior first baseman Michelle Rasmussen (Puyallup, WA/Emerald Ridge, Arizona Western College) was hit by a pitch. She scored on a double to right field by freshman second baseman Claire Zampini (Phoenix, AZ/Deer Valley). Junior center fielder Kara Holtorf (Peoria, AZ/Sunrise Mountain) then doubled to left field, driving in Zampini.

The lead was short lived, however. The Mustangs (4-0) scored two runs in the top of the fourth and two in the top of the sixth. GCU managed to push only one more run across the plate, in the bottom of the sixth when Zampini reached on an error by the pitcher and junior shortstop Kaycee Gamez (Eugene, OR/Sheldon) singled, scoring Zampini.

The 'Lopes were held to five hits by senior Brittney Tanner, who was named Second Team All-Lone Star Conference last season after going 22-3 with a 1.58 ERA and 213 strikeouts.

Junior Ivy Campas (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside) took the loss for GCU after winning yesterday's game against Western New Mexico.

In today's second game, the 'Lopes scored six runs in the top of the first and second innings, but the Mustangs plated five runs of their own in the bottom of the second and third. Both teams scored one run in the fourth, and GCU scored three more in the top of the sixth. WNMU scored its final run in the bottom of the seventh.

Zampini went 2-for-4 with a stolen base and two runs scored; Gamez was 3-for-5 with a double, triple, three RBI and two runs scored; senior left fielder Teddy Barry (Glendale, AZ/Greenway, Phoenix College), the reigning Pacific West Conference Player of the Year who homered in her first two at-bats of the season yesterday, went 3-for-4 with a double, stolen base and three runs scored; Rasmussen was 3-for-3 with a sacrifice fly, stolen base, three RBI and one run scored; and freshman designated player Rachel Meyer (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite) hit a towering home run for her first hit as a 'Lope.

GCU had 13 hits in the game. Freshman pitcher Danielle Legee (Lebanon, OR/Lebanon) recorded her first win for GCU.

The 'Lopes face Cal State Monterey Bay at 10 a.m. tomorrow and Midwestern State at 12:30 p.m. in the final day of the GCU Invitational. Both games are at Quail Run.

Midwestern State 5, GCU 3
GCU 10, Western New Mexico 7

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