GCU Rally Falls Short Against Cal State Fullerton

Wednesday, March 5

Fullerton, CA

7 p.m.

Grand Canyon

9-9

Cal State Fullerton

13-7

Grand Canyon

Cal State Fullerton

Kelsey Barak blasted a solo home run in the first inning on Wednesday night.

Photo by: Darryl Webb

3/5/2014 9:34:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

‘Lopes will play twice on Friday in Northridge

After having three of its four games rained out last weekend in San Diego, the Grand Canyon University softball team returned to California Wednesday for a mid-week showdown with Cal State Fullerton. The Antelopes (9-9) fell to the hosting Titans (13-7) by a final score of 9-7.

Kelsey Barak put the 'Lopes on the board early, blasting a solo home run in the opening frame to give Canyon a 1-0 lead. Barak, a California native, now has a pair of home runs in 2014. Cal State Fullerton picked up a run in the home half of the inning to knot the game at 1-1.

"We battled at the plate and I was pleased with our offensive approach," said head coach Ann Pierson. "We had a lot of really good at bats and we made them (Cal State Fullerton) work tonight."

GCU scored three times in the top of the third, as Barak picked up her second RBI of the night, scoring Kayla Henry. Lauren Regester then smacked an RBI single to right field, pushing Haley Walker across the plate. Canyon's inning at the plate wasn't over, as Camree Wartman later scored on a Nicole Newbury sacrifice fly, giving the 'Lopes a 4-1 lead.

The Titans then responded with a big inning of their own, scoring six runs in the fourth to gain the lead, 7-4.

Grand Canyon rallied to tie the contest in the sixth, as Kailey Regester, who came in to pitch, walked to open the frame. Stephanie Smith then reached on an infield single, advancing Regester to second. Claire Zampini, the next GCU batter, cracked a two-run triple to center field, cutting the deficit to one. Kayla Henry then stepped in the box and tied the game, ripping an RBI single to score Zampini from third.

Cal State Fullerton, who was picked to finish third in the Big West Conference Preseason Poll, scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth on a two-run home run.

GCU was unable to string together any offense in the top of the seventh and fell by a final of 9-7.

Stephanie Pesqueira got the nod in the circle, as the reigning WAC Pitcher of the Week gave up four runs in 3.1 innings of work. Kailey Regester suffered her first loss of the season, coming into the game in the fourth inning and surrendering three runs in 2.2 innings of relief.

Barak, Smith, and Henry all finished the evening affair with a pair of hits at the plate. Zampini and Barak both tallied two RBI in the loss.

"Overall, this weekend is going to be the biggest test for us, as each contest will be very challenging and we will have to compete at the highest level in each game," added Pierson. "We are all very excited about the opportunities at hand this weekend and we will be ready to go."

The 'Lopes will remain in California through the weekend, as they will open up play at the UCLA/CSUN Invitational on Friday morning with a contest against Georgetown. First pitch from Matador Diamond in Northridge is slated for 10 a.m. (Arizona Time). Grand Canyon is scheduled to play five games over the weekend at the invitational. Fans can follow all of the action from this weekend's play at www.gculopes.com.

Cal State Fullerton 9, GCU 7