GCU Bats Come Alive In Wins Over GNAC Foes

Saturday, February 9

Las Vegas, NV

5:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Western Washington

Haley Walker scored three runs, drove in three and was a single away from hitting for the cycle in GCU's 13-9 win over Western Washington.

Photo by: Theon Carrier

2/9/2013 9:17:00 PM | Softball

Grand Canyon scored 11 of its 13 runs in the seventh and eighth innings and won a dramatic 13-9 eight-inning contest over Western Washington in the Fourth Annual MSUB Desert Stinger Tournament in Las Vegas, Saturday.

The Antelopes added a 7-1 win over Simon Fraser to wrap up the day 2-0 and to improve to 4-0 in the tournament and 9-1 overall.

"It's a great start," said GCU coach Ann Pierson. "Our defense has been very steady; our pitching has kept us in games and our bats opened up (Saturday)."

Against Western Washington, going into the seventh inning down 3-2, Lauren Regester put the Antelopes ahead 7-3 with a grand slam, only to see the Vikings tie it up with four runs in the bottom half of the inning

Haley Walker quickly put the ’Lopes up in the eighth with a two-run homer. It was GCU’s third home run of the game, Kelsey Barak had a two-run homer in the third. Western Washington hit five home runs. The Antelopes added four more in the eighth. WWU scored two in the bottom of the inning.

Regester had three hits and six RBIs. Barak, Walker and Kayla Henry each had three hits. Walker was a single away from hitting for the cycle, getting a double and triple earlier in the game. She scored three runs and drove in three. Henry was also one hit from the cycle, missing only a home run. Barak also scored three times and was 3-for-3 on the night

GCU had 16 hits. Nicole Upshaw had two hits. Kailey Regester, in relief, picked up her third win.

The Antelopes scored all seven of its runs against Simon Fraser in the first inning. Lauren Regester remained hot at the plate with a first-inning three-run home run. Walker , Henry and Barak also picked up where they left off against WWU. All three had RBI hits in the inning. Barak had a double.

Walker had another three-hit game, while Lauren Regester, Henry and Barak each had two hits, along with Nicole Newbury. The Antelopes had 13 hits.

"It was a great offensive day," added Pierson. "I was so impressed with our hitters approach and focus."

Kiki Sepulveda picked up the win, throwing a complete game. She struck out four and gave up five hits.

"Kiki threw a good game and was hitting her spots and our defense was outstanding," said Pierson.

GCU plays its final game of the tournament Sunday against Sonoma State. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.

GCU 13, WWU 9 (8)
GCU 7, SFU 1