Lopes take first WAC series in Game 3 finale

Saturday, April 9

Seattle, Wash.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

28-13, 0

Seattle U

15-24, 0

Grand Canyon

Seattle University

4/9/2016 2:37:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

By: Imani Suber

SEATTLE - The Grand Canyon Softball team took care of business Saturday afternoon and claimed their first series of the Western Athletic Conference season as they downed Seattle U 9-3 in the series finale. The Lopes tallied nine runs from 13 hits with a double and a two-run homer to finish out the day. Camree Wartman led at the plate and was 3-for-4 with two runs and three RBI and a two-run homer.

The Lopes improved to 28-13 and are now 3-3 in WAC play. On the weekend, GCU combined for 19 runs from 33 hits with four doubles, two home runs and one triple.

The Lopes opened up the series finale with bats blazing producing five runs from five hits. Shea Smith opened the day with a leadoff single and was quickly plated by Camree Wartman who hit the ball up the middle. Brittany Medina kept the hits coming with a laser and Briielle Breland drew a walk to load the bases. Sierra Smith then hauled in a two-run single and Madelyn Dowdle also blasted one up the midle for a two RBI single to conclude the inning up 5-0.

By the top of the fourth, the Lopes had amassed nine hits, but didn't plate more runs until the sixth inning. GCU continued to collect runs when Wartman zinged the ball out of the park for a two-run homer to put the Lopes up 7-0. But the Redhawks wouldn't go quickly and capitalized on two GCU pitching missteps and plated a pair to adjust the score to 7-2. The Lopes failed to let the runs phase them as they put up their final two runs to close out the contest as a result of three Seattle U errors.

While the Redhawks mounted a final inning rally that plated one and moved the score to 9-3, the Lopes shut down the contest with a strikeout and claimed the series.

This was a great series win and it's always great to win on the road. Taylor threw a great game and our offense was explosive from the first pitch. Shea really set the tone in her first at-bat and the rest of the kids followed. It's always great to put runs up early. We swung our bats well all game long. Even when we didn't score we had great AB's and hard hit balls. I was really happy with the performance today. Taylor kept their hitters off balance and the defense was solid. Sierra had some key plays at third that kept the momentum on our side. Cam had a great day and weekend and continues to be a back-to-back force with Newbie. Well get back to work on Monday for another huge conference weekend.

Lopes Quotes:
Head Coach Ann Pierson
"This was a great series win and it's always great to win on the road. Taylor threw a great game and our offense was explosive from the first pitch. Shea really set the tone in her first at-bat and the rest of the kids followed. It's always great to put runs up early. We swung our bats well all game long. Taylor kept their hitters off balance and the defense was solid. Sierra had some key plays at third that kept the momentum on our side. Cam had a great day and weekend and continues to be a back-to-back force alongside Newbury. We're excited get back to work on Monday for another huge conference matchup this weekend."

Lopes Notes:

The Lopes continue to lead the all-time series 6-3 through nine games against Seattle U.
GCU improved to 28-13 and 3-3 in WAC play.
For the second time his season, the Lopes posted double digit hits in three back-to-back contests.
GCU combined for 19 runs from 33 hits with four doubles, two home runs and one triple.
Camree Wartman led at the plate and was 6-of-10 with one triple and one home run. She hit .600 with a .636 on base percentage and a 1.100 slugging percentage.
For the second-straight week Wartman hit over .600 and continues to lead the team with a .429 batting average.
Nicole Newbury hit. .583 and was 7-for-12 with three runs on the weekend.
In the circle, the pitching staff finished the weekend with 1.09 ERA. Kailey Regester finished with a win through two appearances. She allowed five hits and one earned run with five total strikeouts through 7.0 innings of work. She held opponents to a .259 batting average and finished the weekend with a 1.00 ERA.
Taylor Nowlin finished the series with a 1.14 ERA. She went 1-1 and allowed nine hits, and two earned runs with three strikeouts through 12.1 innings pitched. She held opponents to a .196 batting average.
Both Kendsey Hill and Newbury had perfect games during the series. Hill was a perfect 3-for-3, with two doubles in Game 1 while Newbury was 4-for-4 in Game 2 of the series.
The Lopes picked up their eighth shutout and 10th run-rule of the season in their 8-0 defeat of Seattle U Friday night.
GCU now has 22 games with 10 or more hits in a contest.

Up Next: The Lopes return home to Stapelton-Pierson Stadium to host New Mexico State in their final home series of the season. On Friday April, 15 first pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. MST and 8:30. Saturday April 16, first pitch is set for 6:00 p.m. with a Senior Day ceremony shortly before first pitch.