Solo homers seal Lopes win

Saturday, March 2

Phoenix, Ariz.

4:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

9-8

South Dakota

13-6

South Dakota

Grand Canyon

3/2/2019 8:52:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Dowdle, Sierra Smith go yard for GCU

By: Cassidy Mace

The Grand Canyon softball team split a pair of games on day two of the Lopes Up Classic, as GCU (10-8) downed Iowa State (8-8), 2-0 in the Saturday night finale after falling to South Dakota (13-6), 4-1. The split day improves GCU to 3-1 on the tournament after two days of competition.

Sophomore right-hander Yessie Morrison earned her third win of the season, as the pitcher dished 14-straight scoreless innings between last night's shutout over South Dakota and today's shutout over Iowa State.

GAME ONE
After a scoreless first inning, South Dakota put their first run on the board in the top of the second with an RBI single.

Freshman Taylor Olsen sent a lead-off double into left field to start the momentum for the Lopes in the bottom of the second. After two fly outs for GCU, Kaylee Dietrich stepped to the plate looking to put the Lopes on the board. The sophomore drilled a ball into left field, allowing Olsen to advance from second to home plate, tying the game 1-1 at the end of the second.

The Coyotes used a one-run fifth frame and a pair of runs in the sixth frame to go ahead of the Lopes, 4-1.

With two outs on the board, senior Shea Smith hit a double to the center field wall to get into scoring position. GCU was unable to send her home and the Lopes fell by three to South Dakota for the split on the weekend.

GAME TWO
The Lopes stayed tough on defense to start the second game of the night going six up, six down in the top of the first and second innings. GCU allowed two batters to reach in the top of the third on an error and hit by pitch before Shea Smith left them both stranded with a double play at second.

Senior Maddie Dowdle put the first run for either team on the board with a lead-off solo home run in the fifth inning. The yard ball was her second of the weekend.

Fellow senior Sierra Smith followed up with another solo home run for the Lopes in the bottom of the sixth, sending it over the center field wall to improve GCU's lead to two.

GCU kept the Cyclones off the board in the top half of the seventh, as Shea Smith secured the double play to end the game.

The Lopes return tomorrow to close out the Lopes Up Classic against Northern Colorado at 12:30 p.m.