Lopes show resiliency in two win day

Saturday, February 18

Waco, Texas

4:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

9-1

North Texas

3-5

Grand Canyon

North Texas

Photo by: Theon Carrier

2/18/2017 7:09:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Imani Suber

WACO, Texas -- The Grand Canyon softball program continued its winning ways on the second day of the Getterman Classic. The Lopes defeated UTSA 4-3 in a nine inning marathon and swept North Texas 9-3 in the team's final meeting of the tourney.

On the day GCU produced 13 runs from 20 hits with four doubles and one homer hitting .290.

Sierra Smith had a day going 3-for-9 with two runs, one double and a three-run home run to hit .375 on the day. She also finished with a .778 slugging percentage.

In the circle, Taylor Nowlin allowed just five hits through 9.0 IP. She came in relief in Game 1 shutting down UTSA's offense allowing just one hit to help seal the win for GCU. Through 36 batters faced she allowed just three runs (3 ER) and tallied 12 strikeouts.

How it Happened

Game 1 | UTSA
In GCU's second extra inning game in under a week, the Lopes showed poise and grit in its 4-3 win over UTSA.

The Lopes opened the contest strong as Sierra Smith smoked a double to right center to pick up GCU's first hit of the day. Gonzalez followed shortly after blasting an RBI double down the right field line to score Sierra Smith and give GCU the early lead at 1-0. The Lopes bats continued to thrive as Camree Wartman hit a bomb to left center producing her own RBI double, scoring Gonzalez to go up 2-0. The Lopes finished the opening frame with two runs off three hits.

Brianna Aguilar-Beaucage kept the Roadrunners on their heels for 3.2 innings before UTSA broke through the GCU defense. In the fourth, UTSA put together consecutive singles to secure its first points on the day. Although, GCU forced a ground out, the Roadrunners weren't done. The next batter laid down a bunt, scoring her teammate and snatching the lead from the Lopes at 3-2. This forced a pitching change as Mariah Valencia entered the circle engineering the third out to get out of the inning.

The Lopes wouldn't answer until the sixth, when a clutch RBI single from Loriann Olson scored Laynnee Gomez who landed on base due to a errant UTSA throw to lock the score at 3-3. That would be the last run scored in regulation.

The contest was forced into extra innings as the international-tie breaker rule was put in effect. Shea Smith was placed on second for GCU. Although Sierra Smith grounded out, Shea Smith was able to advance to third and threaten. But the Roadrunner third baseman made a huge play, throwing her out at home to keep the game tied at 3-3.

Nowlin who entered in the sixth, handled the UNT offense allowing nothing to force a ninth inning. GCU elevated its play as Wartman singled through the middle, scoring Gomez who was placed at second base to give GCU the advantage at 4-3. Nowlin and her defense capitalized on GCU's momentum stifling UTSA with tough defense as the Lopes forced a strike out and two fly outs to edge out UTSA.

Game 2 | North Texas
GCU showed their offensive firepower in its win over UNT Saturday night. While North Texas kept the Lopes at bay, GCU blew the game wide open in the fifth.

The Lopes came out of the gates swinging as Shea Smith singled to left center to put North Texas on notice early. Gonzalez followed shortly after with a single herself, but Gomez delivered with a huge hit to left field for the RBI single to give GCU the lead early. The Lopes weren't done as Olson followed with a bomb to right field scoring Gonazlez. Freshman Hailey Freeman recorded her first-career RBI single to plate Gomez rounding out the inning with three runs from five hits.

North Texas had an answer for GCU's production as Kelli Schkade homered to get the Mean Green on the board, bringing the score to 3-1.

The Lopes went on to put up runs in back-to-back innings to extend their lead to 5-1. Nowlin and the defense kept UNT on its heels helping GCU hold its lead.

The Mean Green got the break they needed in the fourth after Harley Perella hit the second home run of the game picking up two runs to cut GCU's lead to 5-3 with one out. But, Nowlin was not phased forcing two outs in the following plays to get GCU's bats back up.

The Lopes took it to the next level in the fifth capitalizing early off Mean Green miscues that landed Freeman on second as a result of an errant throw. Heaven Acquart who entered to run for Freeman, sprinted over to third on a passed ball. Taylor Kaye drew a walk setting up the perfect scenario for the Smith sisters. Shea Smith blasted the ball for the RBI single. But it was Sierra Smith who hit a bomb over the right center fence for the three-run homer to blow the game wide open at 9-3 for GCU.

Aguilar-Beaucage relieved Nowlin in the bottom of the sixth and pitched lights out for the rest of the game allowing zero hits with one strikeout to ice it for GCU in its 9-3 victory.

Lopes Quotes
Head Coach Ann Pierson

Game 1 | UTSA
I'm always happy to get a win in any capacity, but this was not our best effort. We had glimpses of very good with Cam (Wartman) and Nikki (Gonzalez). Taylor (Nowlin) was Taylor and she kept her compusure in the circle. Bo (Aguilar-Beaucage) threw some good innings as did Ri (Valencia). We need to continue to work at the plate to make immediate adjustments.

Game 2 | North Texas
This was a great team win. Taylor started out and threw some good pitches and innings. Their hitter got a hold of a couple of pitches but she maintained her composure. Bo came in and did a fantastic job in relief. It was great to see her embrace that opportunity. Our bats got hot early and we were able to keep putting runs up on the board. We were much more productive with runners on base and had great base running. TK (Kaye) and Hailey (Freeman) took advantage of their opportunities and were outstanding at the plate. I'm really proud of their overall effort and it was nice to see them bounce back with the bats. Tomorrow will be another tough battle and a great way to end the weekend.

Lopes Notes

GCU has reached 10 or more hits in six contests thus far.
Sierra Smith hit her first home run of the season. GCU now has four.
The Lopes are now 2-0 in extra inning contests.
Taylor Kaye put together a career-high 2-for-3 performance hitting.667 with three runs and an RBI against North Texas.
Hailey Freeman collected her first-career single pulling in a RBI in the process against against North Texas. She finished .500 going 2-for-4 with oen run and one RBI.
Taylor Nowlin has yet to allow more than five hits while in the circle this season.