'Lopes Lose Slugfest to Western New Mexico

Thursday, March 24

Silver City, NM

12:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Western New Mexico University

Montana Lucas

3/24/2011 2:07:25 PM | Softball

By: Joel Horn

Senior outfielder Teddy Barry (Glendale, AZ/Greenway, Phoenix College) had four hits, including a home run, but Grand Canyon University was unable to overcome a seven-run first-inning deficit and lost, 14-11, to Western New Mexico in a non-conference softball game today at Mustang Field on the WNMU campus in Silver City, N.M.

The Antelopes fell to 12-11 overall. The Mustangs improved to 12-19.

Starting pitcher Dani Jackman (Mill Creek, WA/Henry M. Jackson) had a rough first inning , allowing six hits and seven runs, only two of which were earned. She struck out the leadoff hitter, but the No. 2 hitter, left fielder Davina Flores, doubled to left field, and the No. 3 hitter, second baseman Ashly Eichenberger, homered to center. There was one error in the inning, by freshman shortstop Stephanie Smith (Phoenix, AZ/Sandra Day O'Connor), and it occurred with runners on first and third and allowed the latter to score.

GCU scored six runs in the top of the second. Senior first baseman Michelle Rasmussen (Puyallup, WA/Emerald Ridge) singled and senior third baseman Montana Lucas (Glendale, AZ/Cactus, Phoenix College) doubled, driving in Rasmussen. Junior catcher C.J. Norvell (Gilbert, AZ/Mesquite, Chandler-Gilbert Community College) walked, Smith singled and junior outfielder Kara Holtorf (Peoria, AZ/Sunrise Mountain) reached on an error by third baseman Alisha Wyckoff. Lucas scored on the play. Freshman second baseman Claire Zampini (Phoenix, AZ/Deer Valley) reached on a fielder's choice, but Norvell was out at home on the play. Sophomore outfielder Samantha Wyatt (Glendale, AZ/Independence) singled, scoring Smith, and Barry homered to right.

WNMU pushed another run across the plate in the bottom of the second, and the 'Lopes did the same in the top of the third. Rasmussen singled and Lucas reached on an error by Eichenberger. Both runners advanced on a ground out by Norvell, and then Smith singled to left, driving in Rasmussen.

GCU tied the score at 8 in the top of the fourth when Zampini singled to center and advanced to second on a ground out by Wyatt. Barry singled to center, scoring Zampini.

The Mustangs put three more runs on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fourth to make the score 11-8, and the 'Lopes plated another run in the top of the fifth on Lucas' solo shot to center.

WNMU scored its 12th, 13th and 14th runs in the bottom of the fifth inning, and neither team scored in the sixth.

In the top of the seventh, Norvell grounded to second for out No. 1. Smith reached on another error by Wyckoff, and Holtorf and Zampini singled, loading the bases. Wyatt popped out to second base. Barry walked, driving in Smith. Junior pitcher Ivy Campas (Tucson, AZ/Sunyside, Phoenix College) singled, scoring Holtorf. Rasmussen struck out to end the game.

Campas replaced Jackman after the first inning and pitched the remaining five innings. She allowed 10 hits and seven runs, five of which were earned. She walked one and had five strikeouts. She took the loss, and her season record stands at 4-7.

GCU had 17 hits in the game and WNMU had 16.

Zampini went 4-for-5 with two runs scored, Rasmussen was 2-for-4 with two runs scored, Lucas went 2-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored, and Smith was 2-for-4 with one RBI and two runs scored.

The 'Lopes' next game is against Hawai'i Hilo on March 30 in Brisbane, Calif.

WNMU 14, GCU 11

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