Lopes sweep final day, garner 20th victory

Saturday, March 12

Northridge, Calif.

9:30 a.m.

Grand Canyon

18-9

San Diego

9-13

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
San Diego	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	1	5	1
Grand Canyon	0	0	0	0	0	5	X	5	6	1

3/12/2016 9:53:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Imani Suber

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. -The Grand Canyon softball team went 2-0 in the final day of the CSUN Matador Classic. GCU defeated San Diego 5-1 and garnered a 10-2 victory against Toledo, on Saturday. The Lopes finished the classic 4-1 and now sit at 20-8 on the season.

GAME 1: San Diego
GCU claimed a 5-1, run-rule victory over San Diego Saturday morning. Junior Bailey Bergman (5-3) earned the win by tossing 6.0 innings pitched. She struck out a season- high seven batters.

While the first five innings went scoreless in a defensive battle, San Diego struck first in the top of the sixth and GCU answered with five runs from five hits to take the lead.

With the Lopes offense firing on all cylinders, Camree Wartman soared the ball out to right center for her first triple of the season. Laynee Gomez capitalized on the momentum with a two-out hit that drove Wartman in for the game tying run.

But, the Lopes were far from done. With Gomez on second after a steal and Brittany Medina on first due to a walk, Kendsey Hill picked up an RBI single followed by Shea Smith's RBI double down the left line to put the Lopes up by four. Newbury pick up an RBI single herself after she smashed the ball up the middle to secure the Lopes final run of the day.

While San Diego threatened in the final frame with a bases loaded jam, pitcher Taylor Nowlin relieved Bergman and struck out the batter for the third out and finalize the outcome 5-1. She picked up her second save of the season in the process.

Game 2: Toledo
GCU defeated Toledo 10-2 in its final game of the Matador Classic. The Lopes picked up 15 hits, with three doubles and a home run against the Rockets.

In the opening frame, Nicole Newbury collected a base hit after sending the ball down the left line and advanced Shea Smith, who stood on base off of a hit herself. Smith would go on to score from a Rocket wild pitch, while Newbury crossed the plate because as a result of a Toledo error.

GCU would go on to put runs on the board in the second and third innings and carry an 8-0 run lead heading into the fourth.

In the second, Breland collected two RBI's from a double to left field and scored teammates Gomez and Taylor Kaye in the process. In the third, GCU kept the offense humming with five hits that produced four runs in their most productive inning yet.

Wartman smashed a home run and plated Dowdle who occupied second from a hit herself. Both Hill and Shea Smith followed with back-to-back RBI doubles to put the Lopes up by eight.

While the Rockets would put up two runs in the sixth to prevent a run-rule victory for the Lopes, GCU continued to pile on the pressure and put the game away in the sixth. Medina picked up an RBI double and scored Sierra Smith. Shea Smith was then awarded a base off of a fielder's choice, which allowed Medina to cross the plate for the game winning run.

Lopes Notes:
Ann Pierson
"This was a great day and the perfect end to the tournament.," Pierson said. "The San Diego pitcher really handled us and we had trouble making adjustments. We finally got to her and the bullpen and were able to put some runs on the board. Our hitters were very gritty and battled. Bailey was outstanding again in the circle. She was efficient and confident and shut down a talented USD offense."

" I was pleased with our approach to game two," Pierson explained. "We put up a lot of runs early and took their offense out of it. Taylor kept them off balance and the defense did a good job behind her. This was a complete team win highlighted by Hailey Maher and Camree Wartman. Great effort all the way around and we continue to learn every time we step on the field. "

Up Next: GCU heads to Cal State Fullerton for the Eastern Tournament, March 17-20. The Lopes will meet No. 4 Alabama and No. 15 Oklahoma along with Arkansas and DePaul over the course of the weekend. Friday the Lopes will take on No. 4 Alabama and DePaul. First pitch is set for 11:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. PT.