Lopes stay perfect

Saturday, February 11

Phoenix, Ariz.

12 p.m.

Grand Canyon

3-0

Northern Colorado

1-2

Grand Canyon

Northern Colorado

2/11/2017 4:42:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Jake Hernandez

PHOENIX, Ariz. – The Grand Canyon softball squad improved to 4-0 after Day 2 of the GCU Kickoff tournament. The Lopes defeated Northern Colorado, 3-1 and followed the performance with their first run-rule victory of the season, 11-3 over Bradley in five innings.

Laynee Gomez went 4-for-7 with three RBI on the day, including going 3-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored in Game 2 against Bradley. Shea Smith was 3-for-6 with four RBI, three runs and two doubles on the day.

In the circle, RHP Mariah Valencia (1-0) tossed a complete game, allowing one earned run off four hits in Game 1 against UNC. LHP Taylor Nowlin (2-0) threw five innings, allowing three earned runs with six strikeouts against Bradley.

How it Happened
Game 1 | Northern Colorado
To open the second day of the GCU Kickoff tournament in the brand new GCU Softball Stadium, the Lopes defeated the Bears, 3-1 behind Valencia's pitching.

At the plate, Loriann Olson connected on a bunt for her first collegiate hit. The freshmen went 2-for-3 with a run scored. Shea Smith was 1-for-4 with an RBI double and a run scored.

In her first outing since her freshmen season, Valencia tossed seven innings, allowing one earned run off four hits. The junior had three strikeouts in her first victory of the season.

GCU's offense accumulated just one hit through four innings before breaking open with a two-run 5th inning. To get things started for the Lopes, Olson landed on base off a bunt. After fielder's choice advanced Olson to second base, Smith doubled to deep center, scoring the Lopes' first run of the inning. Back-to-back RBI singles by GCU plated two additional runs to give the Lopes the 3-1 advantage and win.

Game 2 | Bradley
The Lopes stayed perfect, defeating Bradley, 11-3 in the team's first run-rule victory of the season.

Gomez went 3-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored. Shea Smith was also perfect at the plate with a 2-for-2 performance with three RBI and two runs. The Lopes combined for 10-of-19 at the plate with 11 runs.

Nowlin picked up her second victory on the season, pitching five innings and allowing three earned runs with six strikeouts.

GCU got off to a quick 3-0 start in the first inning. Shea Smith got things started for the Lopes with a bunt-single. Advancing on a sacrifice, Smith later scored off an RBI double from Nikki Gonzalez. Gomez answered with a single and scored on the play along with Gonzalez after an error from Bradley to give GCU a 3-0 lead.

In the second frame, Bradley would answer to cut GCU's lead to 3-1. The Lopes kept up the offensive attack as a bases-loaded hit by pitch on Shea Smith scored a run to give GCU a 4-1 lead. After a sacrifice-fly scored a Lope, a two RBI single to the pitcher by Gomez gave the Lopes a commanding 7-1 lead. GCU was not finished as an RBI double by Camree Wartman gave GCU an 8-1 lead.

In the third inning, Bradley continued to answer after two additional runs cut Grand Canyon's lead to 8-3. Shea Smith responded with a two RBI double to deep center to give the Lopes a 10-3 lead heading into the fourth inning.

The Lopes would score one more run in the fourth and never look back to force the team's first run-rule victory of the season.

Lopes Quotes
Head coach Ann Pierson
"Obviously, with two wins, I am very happy with that. Starting with Mariah (Valencia), it was a great job getting Mariah back on the mound. It has been nearly a year and a half since her last start, I am proud of her to get past her injury and embrace the opportunity. She has really worked hard to get ready and she went out and threw a great game.Taylor (Nowlin) came out with another great game. I am pleased with our defense right now, they're solid and making plays behind our pitching. We were able to get some runs on the board in the second game. Laynee (Gomez) had a great game, I am happy with what she is able to do, and to see the twins (Shea, Sierra Smith) continue to do their part."

Lopes Notes

Megan Stevens earned her first collegiate start against Northern Colorado.
Olson recorded her first collegiate hit off a bunt in the 5th inning against Northern Colorado.
Valencia allowed one earned run in her first outing since 2015.
11-3 victory over Bradley hands Grand Canyon its first run-rule victory of the season.
Gomez went 3-for-3 with two RBI and three runs scored against Bradley.
Shea Smith combined for 3-for-6 with four RBI, three runs and two doubes on the day.
Nowlin earned her second victory on the season.

Up Next
The Lopes are back in action on the final day of the GCU Kickoff Tourney. GCU will face Bradley at 9:00 a.m. MST followed by Northern Colorado at 11:30 to conclude the tournament.