Lopes split WAC opener, fall prey to defensive miscues

Friday, April 1

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

26-10, 0

UMKC

8-17, 0

UMKC

Grand Canyon

Lopes split WAC opener, fall prey to defensive miscues

4/1/2016 4:41:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Imani Suber

PHOENIX- The Grand Canyon softball team split its contests against Missouri Kansas City in the conference opener Friday night. The Lopes picked up their first conference win of the year in Game 1 in a 4-2 victory, but weren't able to overcome defensive miscues and fell to the 'Roos 9-7 in a final inning rally.

On the day, the Lopes combined for 11 runs from 19 hits with three doubles and three home runs.

Game 1: The Lopes opened up conference play with a strong showing against UMKC. In its first Western Athletic Conference victory, GCU produced six runs from six hits. Madelyn Dowdle was clutch in the batters box going 2-for-3 with a two-run homer to give the Lopes the offensive momentum they needed to solidify the win. In the circle, junior Taylor Nowlin collected her 13th win allowing seven hits, with two earned runs and six strikeouts through 7.0 innings tossed.

The contest remained in a defensive stalemate for three straight innings, until Dowdle ended the drought with a two-run homer to put the Lopes up by two. In the sixth, UMKC plated a pair of runs to tie the ballgame and threatened to take the lead with a runner on first. But, with runners on both corners after a 'Roo single to the right side, Nowlin shut down the next two batters and slammed the inning down to keep the score at a pair apiece.

In the home half of the sixth, Camree Wartman garnered a free base and was advanced by Sierra Smith's rocket down the left field line. Dowdle again brought the fire power and plated Wartman for the game-leading run. The Lopes then collected their fourth run after Smith made the 'Roos pay as they stumbled over a Briielle Breland bunt.

While UMKC mounted a seventh inning rally with back-to-back hits which included a double, it could not push enough across the plate and the Lopes claimed the game 4-2.

Madelyn Dowdle wowed at the plate and was 2-for-3 with three RBI and a two-run home run. Sierra Smith also had a productive outing and was 2-for-3 with a triple.

Game 2: In a game that came down to the final inning, GCU came within two of pulling off a come from behind victory, but wasn't able to overcome fielding mistakes in the 9-7 loss to UMKC Saturday night. While GCU outhit the 'Roos 13-7, the Lopes' errors were major contributors in the UMKC victory.

UMKC came out swinging and put up four runs in the opening frame, two of which came from a two-run home run. In the home half of the second, Breland reached off a UMKC miscue and was moved over by a Laynee Gomez hit that chopped through the short stop and landed her a base. On back-to-back steals by Breland and Gomez the Lopes quickly threatened. Breland made UMKC pay for their mistake as she crossed the plate as Brittany Medina reached first on the errant throw. Kendsey Hill then picked up a two-out double to plate Gomez and snatch the momentum.

While UMKC picked up a run in the fourth to go up 5-2, Medina gave the Lopes some much needed offensive fire power and smashed the ball out of the park to bring the score to 5-3.

But the 'Roos would continue to extend the offensive pressure and blasted a two-run homer to extend their lead to four in the fifth. The Lopes would not go quietly, as Sierra Smith drilled the ball out of the stadium for her own two-run home run to put the Lopes back within two at 7-5.

With an efficient double play executed by Sierra Smith to get out of the sixth, the Lopes continued to chip away at the run total and were down 8-5 heading into the final frame. UMKC continued to capitalize on the Lopes mistakes and added to their run count as a result of a bases loaded walk. With the score at 9-5, the Lopes closed out the inning with a fly out.

In the final frame, GCU's offense got the break it needed with back-to-back singles and a walk that loaded the bases with two outs. Shea Smith put up her first hit of the day and plated two Lopes to bring the score 9-7. But UMKC claimed the final decision with a strikeout.

Camree Wartman was 4-of-4 at the plate with one run and two doubles. Brittany Media also finished out the contest 3-for-4 with one run, two RBI and a home run.

Up Next: The Lopes return to Stapelton-Pierson for the series finale against UMKC. First pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. MST.