GCU Splits Doubleheader With Notre Dame de Namur

Saturday, April 23

GCU

10:00 a.m. (changed from 12:00 p.m.)

Grand Canyon

Notre Dame de Namur

Stephanie Smith

4/23/2011 3:32:06 PM | Softball

By: Joel Horn

The Grand Canyon University softball team split a Pacific West Conference doubleheader with Notre Dame de Namur University today at Stapleton-Pierson Field in Phoenix, losing the opener 5-3 and winning the nightcap 6-4.

The Antelopes, who won both ends of yesterday's doubleheader between the two teams, are 20-23 overall, 12-12 in the PacWest. The Argonauts are 22-28, 11-14.

In the first game, GCU was outhit 10-5. The 'Lopes' hits were by freshman shortstop Stephanie Smith (Phoenix, AZ/Sandra Day O'Connor), junior third baseman Vanessa Chavez (Tucson, AZ/Salpointe Catholic, Central Arizona College), senior designated player Michelle Rasmussen (Puyallup, WA/Emerald Ridge, Arizona Western College), junior outfielder Brittany Manzoline (Peoria, AZ/Cactus, Phoenix College, Glendale Community College) and junior outfielder Kara Holtorf (Peoria, AZ/Sunrise Mountain). Rasmussen's hit was a double; all of the rest were singles.

GCU scored two runs in the bottom of the third inning and one run in the fourth. The game was tied 3-3 after five innings, but Notre Dame de Namur pushed two runs across the plate in the top of the sixth.

The Argos were lead by designated player/third baseman Robin Araujo, who went 2-for-4 with a double and one run scored; second baseman Allissa Castro, who was 2-for-3 with a double and one run scored; and catcher Kayla Anderson, who went 2-for-4 with a double and two RBI.

Notre Dame de Namur's top performer, however, was its pitcher, Sammy McConvey. She pitched a complete game, allowing five hits and three runs, two of which were earned, walked two and recorded one strikeout. She is 11-10 this season.

Junior Ivy Campas (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside, Phoenix College) also pitched a complete game, giving up 10 hits and five runs, three of which were earned, walking one and having six strikeouts. She took the loss and is 5-11 this year.

In the second game, the 'Lopes had 13 hits, including three each from their leadoff and two-hole batters, Smith and freshman second baseman Claire Zampini (Phoenix, AZ/Deer Valley). Manzoline had two hits, one of them a double, and senior outfielder Teddy Barry (Glendale, AZ/Greenway, Phoenix College) had a double and a stolen base.

For the Argos, shortstop Mary Ortega was 2-for-3; Araujo went 2-for-2; right fielder Danielle Gray was 2-for-3 with two RBI and one run scored; and left fielder Emily Castro went 2-for-4 with one run scored.

Freshman Dani Jackson (Mill Creek, WA/Henry M. Jackson) started for GCU and pitched two innings, allowing two hits and two runs, both of which were earned, and walking four. Freshman Janelle Christman (Tucson, AZ/Canyon del Oro) took over in the bottom of the third and went the rest of the way, giving up seven hits and two runs, both of which were earned, walking two and recording one strikeout. She got the win to even her season record at 1-1.

Kristina Sewell, who pitched all seven innings, took the loss for Notre Dame de Namur. She is 3-6.

Zampini had a great weekend at the plate, going 8-for-16 (.500) with a double, one RBI and five runs scored.

The 'Lopes have just four games remaining this season, doubleheaders against Academy of Art at noon next Saturday and Sunday at Stapleton-Pierson Field.

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