GCU Wins Twice Over Kansas City in WAC Opener

Friday, March 28

GCU

5 p.m.

Grand Canyon

16-15, 1-0

Kansas City

10-24, 0-1

Kansas City

Grand Canyon

Kelsey Barak blasted a two-run home run in game one Friday.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

3/28/2014 10:48:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

‘Lopes pick up first-ever Western Athletic Conference wins

After being on the road for the past month, the Grand Canyon University softball team returned to its home venue on Friday, picking up its first-ever Western Athletic Conference (WAC) wins, dropping Kansas City (10-25) twice in the inaugural conference series for both teams. The Antelopes used an extra-inning rally in game one to down the Kangaroos, 3-2, and then knocked off the visitors in Friday's second game by a final of 6-1, advancing GCU's record to 17-15 on the season.

"I was very pleased to pick up two wins tonight," said head coach Ann Pierson. "You have to be happy anytime you can win your conference opener."

Game One
After neither team was able to put together any offense in the contest's first two innings, Kelsey Barak put GCU on the board in the bottom of the third, belting a two-run home run to put the 'Lopes up 2-0. The round-tripper marked the fifth of the season for the Canyon shortstop.

The 'Roos answered in the top of the seventh, knotting the game with a two-run shot of their own.

Grand Canyon capitalized on a Kansas City error in the eighth inning, plating the game-winning run. Claire Zampini, who reached on a bunt single earlier in the frame, crossed the plate to give the 'Lopes a 3-2 victory.

Stephanie Pesqueira went the distance in the circle, striking out four batters in eight innings of action. Friday's win marked the fourth in a row and eighth of the season for the senior hurler.

Kayla Henry and Lauren Regester each finished with three hits at the dish and Kylie Shull collected a pair of hits in four trips to the plate.

Game Two
Grand Canyon used a five-run first inning to jump on the 'Roos early, as Henry, Barak, Shull, Camree Wartman and Annie Jordan all crossed the plate in game two's initial frame.

The 'Lopes picked up another run in the home half of the third when Stephanie Smith scored after previously recorded an infield single in the inning, advancing the lead to 6-0.

Kansas City scored once in the top of the fourth and couldn't push across any more runs, as reigning WAC Pitcher of the Week, Taylor Nowlin, shut down the Kangaroo offense. The left-hander surrendered five hits and struck out four batters on her way to picking up her third win of the year in the circle.

"Taylor threw a great game for us tonight," added Pierson. "The defense made some great plays behind her as well."

Smith led the 'Lopes at the plate, picking up two of the Canyon's five hits in the affair.

"I'm proud of the way we battled until the end in game one and the effort that we brought today," concluded Pierson. "We need to fix some things at the plate and go out and pick up another win tomorrow."

GCU will look to finish the weekend sweep tomorrow with a midday tilt with the 'Roos. First pitch in the series finale is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Stapleton-Pierson Stadium. Fans unable to make it out can find a link for live stats and complete game recap at www.gculopes.com.

GCU 3, Kansas City 2
GCU 6, Kansas City 1