Lopes engineer comeback to defeat Lamar

Sunday, February 19

Waco, Texas

8 a.m.

Grand Canyon

10-1

Lamar

2-8

Lamar

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Meredith Aldis

2/19/2017 10:16:00 AM | Softball

Box Score

By: Imani Suber

WACO, Texas -- The Grand Canyon softball program concluded the Getterman Classic with a thrilling extra inning contest as they edged out Lamar 5-4 Sunday morning. The Lopes improve to 10-1 on the young season.

In a neck-and-neck contest that went to extra innings, the Lopes mounted a seventh inning comeback by capitalizing on Lamar miscues to tie the game and ultimately win the contest in the eighth.

Bianca Boling had a show stopping performance finishing 2-of-4 with two RBI and the walk-off single. Once again, Taylor Nowlin came in relief in the extras pitching lights out with no hits and a pair of strikeouts to improve to 7-1 on the young season.

How it Happened
The Lopes started off quickly in the first as Shea Smith landed on second after a double. While Nikki Gonzalez garnered a free base, a Gomez groundout plated Shea Smith to give GCU the 1-0 lead early.

Maria Valencia continued to keep Lamar on its heels, but the Cardinals found their groove in the third inning, producing a pair of two-out singles to go up 2-1.

GCU's coaching staff made the proper adjustments on both offense and defense in the fourth and it showed. Brianna Aguilar-Beaucage took to the circle to relieve Valencia and shutdown the Lamar offense. GCU responded and did want it needed to do on offense. The Lopes evened the tally at 2-2 after a Gomez hit followed by a Bianca Boling two-out RBI single.

The following two innings were pitching duals, but in the seventh Lamar's offense go the break it needed. They scored two in the top of the inning to grab the lead at 4-2.

GCU knew what it had to do and with help from the Cardinals' two errors GCU tied the game up. Taylor Kaye blasted a ball up the middle to land on first. Gonzalez then took advantage hitting a bomb for the two-out RBI double, plating Kaye and bringing GCU within one at 4-3.

The remaining minutes of the inning were mayhem. Gomez drew the walk, getting the potential game-winning run on the base path. But two back-to-back Lamar errors opened the door for Kendsey Hill, who pinch ran for Gonzalez to cross the plate for the game-tying run at the end of regulation.

The Lopes started their second extra-inning game of the weekend with confidence. Taylor Nowlin entered to relieve Aguilar-Beaucage and she did what she does best as she shut out the Lamar offense and giving GCU's offense the opportunity to work.

In the bottom of the eighth, Dowdle was placed on second due to the international tie-breaker rule. She immediately bolted for third off a Lamar wild pitch, moving into scoring position. As Hailey Freeman walked to put GCU on the corners, it was Boling who seized the moment blasting the ball to left field to drive the game-winning run across the plate in walk-off fashion. The Lopes completed the comeback defeating Lamar 5-4 in their final game of the Getterman Classic.

Lopes Quotes
Head Coach Ann Pierson
That was a great team win. We had everyone chipping in for the W from the bench to the starters. Bianca (Boling) was clutch at the plate and we had aggressive base running to put constant pressure on the defense. All three pitchers did a great job keeping us in the game. Nikki (Gonzalez) was fantastic in every aspect with her hitting, catching and base running. Maddie (Dowdle) came in and had great at-bats and Tayor Kaye continues her hot streak. I'm so proud of these girls and all that they accomplished this weekend.

Lopes Notes

GCU improved to 10-1 on the season after going 5-1 in the Getterman Classic. GCU has had the best start to a campaign since its transition to Division I in 2014.
The Lopes are now 3-0 in extra inning contests. GCU only had three extra inning games in 2016 and went 0-3 on the year.
Taylor Nowlin improved to 7-1 in the circle after coming in relief and helping to seal the win.
Bianca Boling went 2-for-4 with two RBI including the game-winning RBI single.

Up Next
GCU returns to Phoenix to host the GCU Invitational on Feb. 23-26. The Lopes open tourney play on Thursday, Feb. 23 against San Jose State. First pitch is set for 4.