Tourney ends nonconference slate

After a midweek shutout sweep of Lehigh on Wednesday night, the Grand Canyon softball team returns to action on Saturday and Sunday to host the GCU Invitational that will end nonconference play.

The Lopes (14-13) play Ohio State, which is receiving national poll votes, and Weber State two times apiece at GCU Softball Stadium.

The pitching duo of Brianna Aguilar (3-3) and Ryan Denhart (3-3) dished a combined 11 strikeouts against Lehigh over 12 combined innings Wednesday. GCU recorded 18 total hits, including a walk-off, run-rule grand slam by junior designated player Jordon Keeton to end the second win.

GCU opens WAC play next Friday against Utah Valley in Phoenix.

GCU vs RV Ohio State
Game Details	Saturday, March 16 \| 3:00 p.m. (MST) \| Phoenix, Ariz. \| GCU Softball Stadium
Game Coverage	Live Stats \| GCU.tv
GCU Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule \| Notes
Ohio State Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule

GCU vs Weber State
Game Details	Saturday, March 16 \| 5:30 p.m. (MST) \| Phoenix, Ariz. \| GCU Softball Stadium
Game Coverage	Live Stats \| GCU.tv
GCU Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule \| Notes
Weber State Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule

GCU vs RV Ohio State
Game Details	Sunday, March 17 \| 10:00 a.m. (MST) \| Phoenix, Ariz. \| GCU Softball Stadium
Game Coverage	Live Stats \| GCU.tv
GCU Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule \| Notes
Ohio State Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule

GCU vs Weber State
Game Details	Sunday, March 17 \| 12:30 p.m. (MST) \| Phoenix, Ariz. \| GCU Softball Stadium
Game Coverage	Live Stats \| GCU.tv
GCU Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule \| Notes
Weber State Links	News \| Roster \| Schedule

2019 NOTABLES

The Lopes topped undefeated and reigning national champion #1 Florida State last Wednesday night, 5-3.
GCU is one of three teams to host the reigning national champion in non-conference play two consecutive season with Florida State and Oklahoma (Arizona and Ohio State).
After throwing two complete game shutouts in the Lopes Up Classic, sophomore Yessie Morrison was named WAC Pitcher of the Week.
Shea Smith won WAC Hitter of the Week honors after going 7 for 12 at the plate with a hit in all four games in the GCU Purple Classic. She is hitting a team-best .462, including a home run against Florida State.
Sierra Smith became the first GCU player to hit a home run in a season opener since Kelsey Barak in 2015.
Savannah Tourville became the first freshman to homer in her GCU debut since Barak in 2012. She doubled twice in the win against Florida State.
Ryan Denhart struck out 14 batters against North Dakota to set a new GCU Division I record.
The Lopes ended the season with the No. 12 batting average in the country at .316, led by Sierra Smith's .392 mark. GCU turned the fifth-most double plays per game in Division I in 2018 with 0.58 per game.
The Lopes won 30 games or more for the third consecutive season in 2018 with 31 wins, and won 20 home games for the second consecutive year.
Sierra Smith ranked 20th and 24th in the country in hits and triples, respectively, in 2018. The infielder slapped 76 hits and five triples in her junior season.
The Lopes added two transfers from the ACC and Big 10 in Lilly Bishop (North Carolina State) and Denhart (Maryland). Bishop made 42 starts for the Wolfpack, including 34 behind the plate, and recorded 22 hits and five home runs. Last season, Denhart recorded the most strikeouts for a Maryland freshman since 2006.
GCU head coach Ann Pierson is 36 wins away from 500 career wins. The GCU skipper has seven 30-plus win seasons and two 40-plus win seasons.
The WAC expanded in 2019 with the addition of California Baptist. The Lopes are 5-7 against the Lancers all-time, but have won the past three meetings between the two schools.

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Players Mentioned

Brianna Aguilar

Lilly Bishop

Ryan Denhart

Jordon Keeton

Yessie Morrison

Shea Smith

Sierra Smith

Savannah Tourville

Grand Canyon University Athletics