GCU Loses Twin Bill to Dixie State

Saturday, March 12

GCU

12:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Dixie State College

Teddy Barry

3/12/2011 4:23:33 PM | Softball

By: Joel Horn

The Grand Canyon University softball team dropped both ends of its Pink Zone breast cancer awareness doubleheader with arch rival Dixie State College today, losing 3-1 in the opener and 8-1 in the nightcap.

The Antelopes fell to 11-10 overall, 5-5 in the Pacific West Conference. The Red Storm improved to 8-3, 6-0 in the PacWest.

In the first game, Dixie State scored two runs in the top of the fourth on a home run to right field by senior shortstop Ashley McFarland, who was named PacWest Player of the Week last week after leading the Red Storm to a four-game sweep of Notre Dame de Namur.

GCU pushed one run across the plate in the bottom of the fourth when sophomore outfielder Samantha Wyatt (Glendale, AZ/Independence) doubled to left field and advanced to third on a ground out by senior outfielder Teddy Barry (Glendale, AZ/Greenway, Phoenix College). With two outs, senior first baseman Michelle Rasmussen (Puyallup, WA/Emerald Ridge, Arizona Western College) singled to center field, scoring Wyatt.

The Red Storm scored its final run in the top of the seventh, when junior outfielder Kourtnie Schlacter doubled to left field, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a single by sophomore outfielder Jaelle Judkins.

Junior Ivy Campas (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside, Phoenix College) pitched seven innings for the 'Lopes, allowing seven hits and three runs (all earned), walking one and recording five strikeouts. She is 3-6 on the season.

Senior Brittnie Miller (4-1) got the win for Dixie State.

In the second game, the Red Storm took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third when Judkins singled to center field, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on McFarland's single to left field.

Dixie State scored three more runs in the bottom of the fifth when sophomore third baseman Kelsey Mendenhall walked and advanced to second on a ground out. Miller was hit by a pitch and Schlacter singled to center field, driving in Mendenhall. Schlacter stole second and junior second baseman Ryanne Dacosin singled, advancing Schlacter to third and scoring Miller. Judkins reached on an error and Schlacter scored.

The Red Storm broke open the game in the bottom of the sixth. McFarland and Mendenhall were hit by pitches. Sophomore first baseman Anna Cue singled, loading the bases. Junior catcher Kylee Higgins singled to left field, driving in McFarland. Miller walked, scoring Mendenhall. Schlacter walked, scoring freshman utility player Lexi Hart, who was pinch running for Cue. Judkins grounded out to second and Higgins scored on the play.

Barry drove in the 'Lopes' only run with a home run to right field in the top of the sixth.

Freshman Dani Jackman (Mill Creek, WA/Henry M. Jackson) pitched five innings for GCU and gave up six hits and four runs (three earned), walked five and had three strikeouts. Freshman Danielle Legee (Lebanon, OR/Lebanon) pitched the final inning and allowed two hits and four runs (all earned), and walked two.

GCU next travels to the Bay Area for games against San Francisco State on Friday (doubleheader) and Saturday.

Dixie State 3, GCU 1
Dixie State 8, GCU 1