Lopes show grit in 2-1 loss to No.11/9 Texas A&M

Saturday, March 5

San Diego, Calif.

10 a.m.

Grand Canyon

15-6

Pittsburgh

14-4

Pitt

Grand Canyon

3/5/2016 2:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Imani Suber

SAN DIEGO- The Grand Canyon softball team went 0-2 on Day 2 of the SDSU Classic I. GCU fell to Pittsburgh 11-3 in Game 1 and to No. 9 Texas A&M, 2-1. GCU now sits at 16-7 on the season.

It was a tale of two games as the Lopes bounced back from a tough morning against Pittsburgh to come within inches of defeating the No. 9 Aggies.

Game 1: GCU dropped an 11-3 decision to Pittsburgh on Saturday morning. The Lopes stood tough, but could not muster enough offense to close the gap.

Shea Smith led off the opening frame with a free base and Camree Wartman recorded an RBI double to drive Shea Smith across the plate and earn the first run of the day. The Panthers then answered in the second with a pair of runs as a result of a sacrifice bunt.

While Pittsburgh added to their run total in the top of the third and fourth, GCU answered with an RBI double that plated Jenna Coates and Sierra Smith who landed on base because of a Panthers' error.

While the Lopes cut the lead to 9-3, Pitt would go on to finalize the 11-3 outcome with two more runs in the sixth.

Game 2: Defensively, GCU battled for seven straight innings and allowed only two Aggies runs, but ultimately fell to Texas A&M in a 2-1 outcome Saturday afternoon.

Grand Canyon had a solid showing in the circle as tandem Bailey Bergman and Taylor Nowlin allowed only six hits and two runs.

The Lopes got on the board first in the home half of the second inning off of a stunning RBI triple by freshman Taylor Kaye. While Texas A&M crossed the plate to tie the contest, GCU's defense proved resilient by stifling the Aggies for two consecutive innings.

While the two defenses continued to battle, the Lopes eventually gave up a run in the bottom of the sixth as a result of a wild pitch with the bases loaded.

With the opposition's offensive attack mounting, Shea Smith stunned Texas A&M with two back-to-back putouts at home plate to snatch two Aggie runs and keep the Lopes alive and within one.

Although the Lopes had one more opportunity to make an offensive stand, they weren't able to overcome the Texas A&M defense and fell in a close call to the Aggies, 2-1.

Lopes Quotes:

Ann Pierson
"Game 1 was really disappointing because we weren't clean or consistent in any area of the game," Pierson explained. "But I am very happy with the way the kids bounced back in Game 2. Bailey threw her best innings of the season and the defense stepped it up a few notches. That's the best pitching we've seen and it was good for our hitters to battle. We continue to learn in every game we play and we'll keep battling. It was fun to watch the kids play so hard."

Shea Smith
"Coming back from Game 1 and struggling I just knew I had to relax and be myself and not try to do too much." GCU short stop Shea Smith said. "I was really proud of how the defense battled against a high-power offense like Texas A&M. Personally, I just stayed focused and knew the plays I needed to make before the ball was pitched and that helped me stay confident and ready for each play."

Next Up:
The Lopes return Sunday in thier final contest of the SDSU Classic I against Portland State. First pitch is set for 12:30 p.m. MT. Follow live on GCUstats.com.