GCU Opens Weekend With Pair of Wins in Kansas City

Friday, April 3

Kansas City, MO

12 p.m.

Grand Canyon

22-17, 0

Kansas City

21-18, 0

Grand Canyon

Missouri-Kansas City

Kailey Regester

Photo by: Darryl Webb

4/3/2015 4:48:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Regester’s one-hit gem guides Lopes to win in game one

The Grand Canyon University softball team (23-17) improved to 4-1 in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) with a pair of wins over Kansas City (21-19, 2-3) Saturday at the Missouri 3&2 Complex in Kansas City, Mo. The Antelopes came out on top, 8-0, in game one, before topping Kansas City, 7-3, in game two.

"This was a great way to start the weekend," said head coach Ann Pierson. "We had tough games with UMKC last year and expected a lot of the same. They are a very athletic and well-coached team and we knew we would need to play sharp."

"Kailey threw a tremendous first game," said Pierson. "They squared up a couple of balls and our defense was solid. She (Kailey) did a good job getting ahead and locating all pitches. A one-hitter anytime is awesome, but is even more incredible when it's against a good team. Our offense got started right away and didn't look back."

Backed by Kailey Regester's one-hit shutout gem and a three-run fourth, GCU defeated the host 'Roos 8-0 in six innings in game one. The Lopes scored in every inning except the fifth to earn the run-rule victory. Regester (10-7) allowed just one hit, while fanning four in her complete game effort.

Brittany Medina drilled a solo home run over the left field fence in the top of the second to highlight the scoring in game one for GCU. Haley Walker, Kayla Henry and Bianca Boling all recorded a pair of hits, while Camree Wartman and Jenna Coates tallied two RBI each.

In game two, the Lopes used a four-run fourth to earn the 7-3 victory. In the fourth, Medina connected on a two-run single, while Coates and Walker both delivered RBI knocks to account for GCU's four runs.

Nicole Newbury, Walker, Wartman and Coates all had two hits to lead the Canyon offensive attack.

Starter Bailey Bergman and Taylor Nowlin combined to strike out 11 KC batters. Nowlin entered the game in the third and hurled 4.2 innings of shutout ball en route to picking up her ninth win of the year in the circle. The sophomore allowed just two hits.

"Bailey started off well (in game two) and our defense wasn't as sharp," stated Pierson. "Taylor came in for a different look and settled in to have another good outing. The defense made adjustments and the offense got going. We had multiple kids with multiple-hit games."

"I'm really happy with the start and we have to come out with a purpose tomorrow," concluded Pierson.

The Lopes and 'Roos will close out their three-game set with a 10 a.m. (Arizona Time) contest Saturday in Kansas City. Fans can find live links to follow the action at www.gculopes.com.

GCU 8, KC 0 (6)
GCU 7, KC 3