Lopes split with Seattle U, garner eighth shutout victory

Friday, April 8

Seattle, Wash.

4 p.m.

Grand Canyon

26-13, 0

Seattle U

15-22, 0

Grand Canyon

Seattle University

Lopes split with Seattle U, garner eighth shutout victory

4/8/2016 4:59:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Imani Suber

SEATTLE, Wash. - The Grand Canyon Softball team split it contests against Seattle University Friday night. It was a tale of two games as the Lopes struggled to plate runs in their 3-2 loss in Game 1, but dismantled Seattle U by run-rule with a 8-0 finish that ended in six innings. On the day GCU combined for 20 hits and 10 runs with three doubles, one triple and one home run. The Lopes improved to 27-13 on the season and are now 2-3 in WAC play.

Nicole Newbury and Kendsey Hill led at the plate. Newbury hit .750 and was 6-for-8 with three runs. Hill was .600 on the night and was 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs and one RBI.

Game 1: While GCU outhit the Redhawks 10-5,the story of the game was their inability to plate runs. The Lopes left a total of 10 runners on base and with a trio of errors on the defensive side Seattle U took the contest in a 3-2 outcome. Kendsey Hill was perfect at the plate and was a 3-for-3 with two doubles and one RBI.

Although the Redhawks drove a run across in the opening frame, the Lopes got their offense going in the third with two-back-to-back base hits. Hill led off the third with a double down the right line. Newbury followed with a bunt base hit and the Lopes threatened. Camree Wartman then blasted a ball to left center for the game tying run.

The Lopes collected eight hits through the first four innings of the contest, but struggled to plate runners. While the Redhawks threatened with runners on the corners in the fifth, Sierra Smith snatched a run from Seattle U when she threw the ball to Hill for the tag out at home. The Lopes closed out the inning with a fly out with the score still even.

While Laynee Gomez beat out a sure out at first, Hill's bat remained hot in the home half of the sixth as she smashed out her second double of the day and drove in Gomez for the game leading run. Seattle U quickly responded with a home run and the score was back at 2-2.

While the Lopes failed to plate in the seventh, they struggled to keep their composure on the defensive end. The Redhawks quickly landed on base off of a GCU walk and error. With two on base, Seattle U followed with a base hit, but the Lopes unraveled as a throwing error yielded the game winning run and Seattle U took Game 1, 3-2.

Game 2: The Lopes collected their eighth shutout of the season and their 10th victory by run-rule in their 8-0 rout of Seattle U Friday night. GCU hit on all cylinders and collected eight runs from 10 hits with a triple and home run to finish out the contest. Nicole Newbury was perfect and went 4-for-4 with three runs. In the circle, Kailey Regester (8-4) picked up the win allowing five hits with four strikeouts through 6.0 innings of work.

The Lopes came out with their bats swinging with back-to-back hits from Shea Smith, Newbury and Camree Wartman that resulted in the Lopes first run of the game. GCU didn't let up as Wartman cleared the bases with a three-run triple with two outs to quickly put the Lopes up 4-0 to conclude the second inning.

GCU took care of business on defense and got back into the dugout to start the third. Briielle Breland drew a walk and stole second to threaten on offense. Dowdle then hauled in a RBI single and scored Breland to add another run to the total.

The Lopes continued to play lights out throughout the rest of the contest, putting up runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings including a pinch-hit two-run homer by Bianca Boling. GCU closed out the game in the sixth inning with a quick three-out punch to claim the shutout 8-0.

Lopes Quotes:
Head Coach Ann Pierson
"I'm happy that we came back in game two to get the split. I am really pleased with the pitching performances by Kailey and Taylor. Kailey really attacked the batters and used our strong offense as a catapult for momentum. She located her pitches and used both sides of the plate. Taylor threw another good game. We just didn't back it up with sharp defense or enough offense. The difference between the two games was clutch hitting with runners in scoring position.Our biggest challenge is to maintain a solid and consistent defense. We need to get after it tomorrow and continue where we left off. "

Up Next: The Lopes close out their series with Seattle U Saturday at 2:00 p.m. MST.