Canyon Sweeps DH; Earn 3-1 Series Win Over HPU

Tuesday, March 27

Phoenix, AZ

12 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Hawai'i Pacific

Pinch-hitter Brittany Manzoline gets the game-winning hit in Tuesday's 1-0 10-inning victory over Hawai'i Pacific.

3/27/2012 6:17:00 PM | Softball

Grand Canyon eked out a 10-inning pitcher’s duel in the opener and had its bats erupt in the nightcap of a Pacific West Conference doubleheader sweep of Hawai’i Pacific at Stapleton-Pierson Stadium Tuesday.

On a pinch-hit RBI-single from Brittany Manzoline, Kiki Sepulveda scored the only run of the contest in a 1-0 Game 1 win. The Antelopes pounded out 19 hits in a 9-2 victory in Game 2.

GCU improved to 20-10 overall and 11-3 in the PacWest. For the first time in the program’s history, it won a series over HPU, the 2010 NCAA national champions. The teams split the first two games of the four-game set Monday.

“Any time you get a win over (Hawai’i Pacific) you’re happy with that, but to get three against such a talented, well-coached team, we hadn’t done that,” said GCU coach Ann Pierson.

GCU, HPU and California Baptist went into the week in a three-way tie for first. Cal Baptist swept a doubleheader from Chaminade Monday to take a one-game lead going into today’s games. Cal Baptist and Chaminade were to play a doubleheader later Tuesday.

In game one, GCU frosh Kiley Raica, who lost 9-1 to the Sea Warriors Monday, gave up just three hits in 10 innings. She pitched three innings of shutout relief in the second game to earn a save.

“Kiley threw a great game,” praised Pierson. “She only gave up three hits and our defense was solid. I’m proud of her after she got knocked around a little bit the day before.”

With the international tie-breaker rule in effect in the 10th inning, Sepulveda was placed on second base to start the frame. Nicole Upshaw followed with a bunt single, moving Sepulveda to third. Vanessa Chavez was intentionally walked and Manzoline, pinch-hitting for Brandi Gaffin, hit a single to left field to plate the game’s only run.

“She hadn’t had a whole lot of at-bats and not a lot lately,” said Pierson of Manzoline, whose game-winning trip to the plate was only her fifth at-bat of the season.

GCU had just five hits off HPU ace Breanne Patton; two came from Upshaw, who doubled earlier in the game.
GCU jumped out to an early lead in the second game, getting four runs on seven consecutive first-inning singles. All of the hits happened after the first two batters were retired. Lauren Regester started the hit parade and was followed by Kelsey Barak, Upshaw, Chavez, Sepulveda, Kayla Henry and Claire Zampini. Sepulveda, who threw four innings to earn her fifth straight win, drove in two with her base-hit.

Raica batted for the first time this season and had a two-run double in the sixth. Regester and Barak each had three hits. Kara Holtorf, Upshaw, Chavez, Henry and Zampini each had two.

The games wrapped up a 10-game homestand that saw the ’Lopes play five doubleheaders in eight days, winning eight and losing only two.

“I’m proud of our girls and their energy over the last two weeks,” added Pierson. “They’ve taken them one at a time and knew all were huge. They prepared and worked hard and put in extra fundamental work. They’ve been together and stayed together.”

GCU heads out to Turlock, Calif., for the Tournament of Champions Friday-Sunday. GCU will play twice on Friday, three times on Saturday and two more games Sunday. Though none of the games are conference games, all are crucial against West Region opponents.

GCU 1, HPU 0 (10 innings)
GCU 9, HPU 2