'Lopes Split Doubleheader With Academy of Art

Saturday, April 30

GCU

12:00 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Academy of Art

Kara Holtorf

4/30/2011 7:10:53 PM | Softball

By: Joel Horn

Grand Canyon University split a Pacific West Conference softball doubleheader with Academy of Art today at Stapleton-Pierson Field in Phoenix, winning the first game 7-6 and losing the second 7-5.

The Antelopes are 21-24 overall, 13-13 and in fifth place in the PacWest; the Urban Knights are 28-19, 16-10 and in fourth.

In Game 1, GCU scored the winning run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. With one out, junior outfielder Brittany Manzoline (Peoria, AZ/Cactus, Phoenix College, Glendale Community College) singled to first base, junior outfielder Kara Holtorf (Peoria, AZ/Sunrise Mountain) singled to third base and freshman shortstop Stephanie Smith (Phoenix, AZ/Sandra Day O'Connor) walked, loading the bases. Freshman second baseman Claire Zampini (Phoenix, AZ/Deer Valley) grounded out to second base, but Manzoline scored on the play.

The 'Lopes outhit the Urban Knights, 13-9. Zampini went 2-for-5 with a double, one RBI and two runs scored; senior outfielder Teddy Barry (Glendale, AZ/Greenway) was 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI and one run scored; senior first baseman Michelle Rasmussen (Puyallup, WA/Emerald Ridge/Arizona Western College) went 2-for-4 with a double and one RBI; Manzoline was 2-for-4 with one run scored; and Holtorf went 2-for-4 with one RBI and one run scored.

GCU scored two runs in the bottom of the first, two in the second and one in the fifth, sixth and seventh.

Freshman Dani Jackman (Mill Creek, WA/Henry M. Jackson) started for the 'Lopes and pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing nine hits and six runs, all of which were earned, walking eight and recording one strikeout.

Junior Ivy Campas (Tucson, AZ/Sunnyside) pitched the remaining 1 1/3 innings and did not give up any hits or runs, or issue any walks. She got the win to improve to 6-11 on the season.

GCU left 11 runners on base; Academy of Art 12. The game lasted two hours and 25 minutes.

In Game 2, the Urban Knights jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the second. The 'Lopes scored three runs of their own in the top of the third, but Academy of Art scored again in the bottom of the third to take a 5-3 lead.

GCU pushed a run across the plate in the fourth and another in the fifth, but Academy of Art plated two runs in the fifth for the winning margin.

Both teams had 12 hits. The 'Lopes were led by Zampini, who was 2-for-4 with one run scored; Barry, who went 3-for-4 with a double, home run, stolen base, four RBI and one run scored; junior designated player Vanessa Ramirez, who was 3-for-4; and Holtorf, who went 3-for-3 with one RBI and one run scored.

Freshman Janelle Christman (Tucson, AZ/Canyon del Oro) started for GCU and pitched two innings, allowing seven hits and four runs, all of which were earned. Freshman Danielle Legee (Lebanon, OR/Lebanon) pitched the next inning and gave up one hit and one run, which was earned, walked one and had two strikeouts. Campas pitched the final three innings, allowing four hits and two runs, both of which were earned. She walked two and recorded two strikeouts. She took the loss to drop to 6-12.

The 'Lopes stranded eight base runners; the Urban Knights nine.

In the two games, Barry, the 2010 PacWest Player of the Year and 2011 PacWest Preseason Player of the Year, was 5-for 8 with seven RBI and two runs scored. Holtorf went 5-for-8 with two RBI and two runs scored.

GCU and Academy of Art wrap up the 2011 season with another doubleheader tomorrow starting at noon at Stapleton-Pierson Field. It will be Senior Day, and the 'Lopes' three seniors -- Barry, third baseman Montana Lucas (Glendale, AZ/Cactus, Phoenix College) and Rasmussen -- will be recognized for their contributions to the softball program and the university in general. Senior Day festivities will start at 11:45 a.m.

###