Lopes drop Boston and Saint Joseph's on Day 1 in San Diego

Friday, March 4

San Diego, Calif.

12:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

15-5

Boston

3-7

Grand Canyon

Lopes drop Boston and Saint Joseph's on Day 1 in San Diego

3/4/2016 7:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Imani Suber

SAN DIEGO -The Grand Canyon softball team went 2-0 on Day 1 of the SDSU Classic I. GCU defeated Boston University 10-3 and garnered a 4-3 victory against Saint Joseph's Friday. The Lopes now sit at 15-5 on the season and totaled 14 runs from 15 hits on Day 1.

In the circle, Bailey Bergman picked up her fourth win of the season in Game 1 against BU, while Taylor Nowlin garnered a victory over Saint Joseph's.

GAME 1: GCU claimed a 10-3, victory over Boston University Friday morning. Bailey Bergman (4-2) earned the win by tossing 7.0 innings pitched, allowing three runs (one earned) and four hits.

With an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, GCU scored the first two runs as a result of a Terrier error as Shea Smith and Nicole Newbury crossed the plate. The Lopes controlled the rest of the game by scoring runs in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

In the bottom of the fourth, the Lopes bats got going with three consecutive hits including a Kendsey Hill home run, a Shea Smith single and a Newbury RBI double that put the Lopes up five.

But the Lopes weren't done scoring. Taylor Kaye's beautiful sacrifice bunt pushed Laynee Gomez to second and Briielle Breland to third. The Lopes then capitalized on several BU errors that resulted in a pair of runs to add to the mounting run total.

GCU closed out the contest in the final inning to solidify the 10-3 victory over Boston University.

Sierra Smith led the Lopes at the plate, hitting 2-for-3 with one RBI and two runs scored. Also putting on a show at the plate, Nicole Newbury was 4-for-1 with one double, one run and one RBI.

GAME 2: GCU garnered its second victory of the day in a 4-3 decision over Saint Joseph's Friday afternoon. In a close call, Madelyn Dowdle smoked the ball across center field for an RBI double to claim the victory.

In the opening frame, Sierra Smith got started with an RBI single and drove in Dowdle. GCU then loaded the bases and Newbury plated off of a fielders choice to put the Lopes up 2-0. While Saint Joseph's put a run on the board, GCU answered when Newbury garnered an RBI single to add another run.

The Hawk's kept piling on the pressure, scoring the game tying run in the top of the fifth. The Lopes would go scoreless until the final inning. To open the seventh, Newbury singled to center field. Freshman Heaven Acquart relieved Newbury at first base and advanced to second off a critical sacrifice bunt executed by Wartman. It was Dowdle's at bat that put the Lopes over the edge with an RBI single to center field to drive Acquart across the plate for the game winning run.

Lopes Quotes:
Ann Pierson
"I am very happy with our games today," Pierson said. " Bailey threw a great game and was able to keep a speedy offense in check. She did what she does, throws ground balls and let's our defense work. She showed tremendous poise innings 1-7." Our offense did a good job getting on the board and putting pressure on the defense throughout the entire game.

"Game two was another challenge and I liked our fight early," Pierson explained. "The defense made some great plays and we were able to get. I am very happy with our games today.

P Bailey Bergman
"I went out there with a clear mindset and realized that as long as I did my job and allowed my teammates and defense to work behind me I would be successful and that's exactly what happened."

Up Next: GCU returns to action in Day 2 of the San Diego Classic I to face a tough slate of opponents. The Lopes will kickoff the day against Pittsburgh and finish against No.11 Texas A&M. Start times are set for 10:00 a.m and 12:30 p.m. MT.