Three triple day vs. Lehigh leads GCU to perfect Saturday

Saturday, March 11

Stanford, Calif.

3 p.m.

Grand Canyon

22-3

Cal Poly

15-7

Grand Canyon

Cal Poly

Three triple day vs. Lehigh leads GCU to perfect Saturday

3/11/2017 9:10:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Imani Suber

STANFORD, Calif. --- The Grand Canyon softball program finished the second day of the Stanford Easton Classic a perfect 2-0. The Lopes defeated Cal Poly 5-4 in the first game, closing out the day with an 11-0 run-rule victory over Lehigh Saturday night.

Camree Wartman led the team with a near perfect 6-for-7 day, including one double, one triple and four RBI.

Brianna Aguilar-Beaucage pitched a complete game against Lehigh, allowing just five hits with a pair of strikeouts with zero walks.

How it Happened

Game 1 | Cal Poly
In an intense game that came down to the final out, the Lopes pulled out the contest in a 5-4 finish.

GCU had a tough start as Cal Poly came out swinging. The Mustangs put together a 4-run, 5-hit inning to take the 4-0 lead to close out the opening frame.

GCU was not phased answering back in the third, putting together its own 4-run 5-hit inning to tie the ball game up. Taylor Kaye started the inning on a high note laying down a perfect bunt to garner first base. While Niki Gonzalez landed on base after being hit, Loriann Olson didn't disappoint, sending a rocket to left center for the RBI double to get GCU on the board at 4-2. The Lopes weren't done as Shea Smith sent a bullet down the left field line, picking up an RBI herself, scoring Olson to bring the Lopes within one at 4-3.

While Sierra Smith capitalized picking up a hit and landing on base, Shea Smith was thrown out at home as Cal Poly snatched the tying run from the Lopes. But, it wouldn't matter as Wartman took to the plate determined to make an impact hitting a bomb to left center plating Sierra Smith and producing the game-tying run at 4-4.

Although Lopes and Cal Poly were locked in a defensive stalemate through the fourth inning, GCU did just enough in the fifth.

GCU wasn't deterred after starting the inning with a quick 2-outs. Laynee Gomez capitalized on a Mustang error to secure first, Sierra Smith drew a free bag and GCU moved into scoring position. Again, Wartman blasted out a crucial RBI single for the go-ahead run to give GCU the lead at 5-4.

While Nowlin and the defense continued to successfully shutdown the Cal Poly defense, it came down to the bottom of the seventh.

With the game on the line Nowlin kept her poise in the circle as the Mustangs tried hard to mount a rally. Nowlin and the defense forced two quick ground outs before Cal Poly singled, making things interesting. But Nowlin wouldn't have it striking out the final batter to claim the win for GCU.

Game 2 | Lehigh
GCU dominated the Mountain Hawks from the start in the 11-0 shutout highlighted by three triples garnered by Sierra Smith, Wartman and Jenna Coates.

The Lopes got their offense in a groove early as Bianca Boling secured the RBI single after Shea Smith's leadoff triple to center field to take the early lead.

While Aguilar-Beaucage and the defense kept the Mountain Hawk offense off balance, GCU carried on its momentum from the second into the third frame. The Lopes went on to put together a 3-run, 4-hit inning lead by a Wartman 2 RBI triple down the right field line. The Lopes finished the inning up 4-0.

Lehigh had no answer for GCU's offensive attack, managing one hit in bottom of the third. The Lopes remained vigilant in the fourth keeping the pressure on. GCU landed three on base providing the perfect opportunity for Megan Stevens to capitalize in the pinch-hit role. She doubled to the center field wall clearing the bases, adding three more runs to the total improving the tally to 7-0.

GCU went on to put together a 4-run fifth inning led by a Coates pinch-hit triple to close out the score at 11-0. It was all Aguilar-Beaucage and the defense from that point on as the Lopes turned a 5-4 double play adding the final pop up to secure the run-rule win over Lehigh.

Up Next
The Lopes close out the Stanford Easton Classic against UCONN at 2 p.m. MST.