GCU hosts Seattle U in WAC opener

FRIDAY, MARCH 31- SATURDAY, APRIL 1
SEATTLE U REDHAWKS 11-21 (0-0 WAC) SERIES RELEASE	vs.	GRAND CANYON LOPES 25-11 (0-0 WAC) SERIES RELEASE

GAME ONE	GAME TWO	GAME THREE
Friday, 5 p.m. MST	Friday, 7:30 p.m. MST	Saturday, 5 p.m. MST
Stats \| GCU.tv	Stats \| GCU.tv	Stats \| WAC Digital Network

GCU looks to start conference play on a high note as it hosts Seattle U in the Western Athletic Conference opening series at GCU Softball Stadium.

The Lopes will play in a doubleheader contest on Friday, Mar.31 at 5:00 p.m. MST and 7:30. GCU will wrap up the series on Saturday, April 1 at 5.

LEADING OFF

GCU will look to pick up a trio of victories against the Redhawks and win the series for the third straight season.

Among its WAC counterparts, GCU sits at the top of the conference in several categories. Niki Gonzalez leads the conference in doubles, while Shea Smith leads in runs scored. In the circle, Taylor Nowlin also commands the strikeout, wins and opposing batting average categories. Brianna Aguilar-Beaucage leads the league in earned run average.

GCU dropped both games against No. 5 Arizona. Sierra Smith had a standout performance hitting .800 (4-for-5) through both games with one run.

The Lopes debuted at No. 60 in the Ratings Percentage Index last week. GCU moved up three spots and now sit at No. 57 after suffering losses to Washington who is No.1 in the NCAA in the RPI category. The Lopes now sit at 25-9 on the year. GCU debuted in the top 75 in the RPI rankings for the second straight season. GCU's RPI ranks first in the Western Athletic Conference.

Camree Wartman is currently hitting .363 on the season, she tallied her fifth triple of the year against Santa Clara and is tied for fifth in the NCAA with the tally.

For the first time in the softball program's Division I history, GCU received Top 25 votes in the ESPN.COM/USA Softball national poll. In Week 5, the Lopes received two votes after improving to 23-4 in the Stanford Easton Classic.

Last time out

GCU fell to Arizona in both games Wednesday. The Lopes fought valiantly in the first game. GCU rallied to tie the game up in the first inning. They went on to come within two at 4-2 off a Madelyn Dowdle RBI double, but Arizona pulled ahead in the remaining innings leaving the final at 6-2.

In Game 2 the Lopes couldn't find the spark they needed and suffered a 13-0 shutout.

Sierra Smith led on offense hitting .800 (4-for-5). Taylor Nowlin led in the circle, finishing with a 4.67 ERA, allowing 4 ER through 6.0 IP.

Sizing up the Opponents

Scouting Seattle U

Grand Canyon will meet at Seattle U for the 10th time in program history. The Lopes have the advantage in the all-time series at 5-4. GCU has picked up series victories in consecutive seasons.
The Redhawks are currently 11-31 on the year.
Paige Bouska is the reigning WAC Hitter of the Week and leads the squad with a .403 BA (48-of-119). She has tallied five triples and two home runs.
In the circle, Andie Larkins (5-13) leads Seattle U with 50 strikeouts. She currently has a 4.14 ERA and has held batters to a .289 b/avg.
Head coach Geoff Hirari is currently in his second season at the helm of the Redhawk program.

Up Next

GCU heads to Kansas City, Mo. to open WAC road play at UMKC. GCU will play a doubleheader on Friday, April 7 at 12 p.m. MST and 2. The Lopes will finish the series on Saturday, April 8 at noon.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Brianna Aguilar

Maddie Dowdle

Niki Gonzalez

Taylor Nowlin

Loriann Olson

Shea Smith

Sierra Smith

Camree Wartman

Grand Canyon University Athletics