Lopes begin WAC play with sweep

Friday, March 22

Phoenix, Ariz.

5 p.m.

Grand Canyon

19-13, 0

Utah Valley

7-13, 0

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Utah Valley	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	2
Grand Canyon	0	1	0	0	1	0	X	2	6	1

3/22/2019 8:57:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

GCU shuts out UVU in doubleheader

By: Sarah Woodward

The Grand Canyon softball team used a two-game shutout to start off WAC play on the right foot, as the Lopes (20-13, 2-0 WAC) extended their win streak to eight games with a 2-0 win and an 8-0 run-rule victory over Utah Valley (7-14, 0-2 WAC) on Friday night at GCU Softball Stadium.

The Lopes saw impressive performances from sophomore right-hander Ryan Denhart in Game 1 and the freshman duo of second baseman Savannah Tourville and first baseman Taylor Olsen, along with senior outfielder Taylor Kaye, in Game 2.

GAME 1
Defense kept GCU going in Game 1, with Denhart throwing a complete game with six strikeouts while only allowing two hits in the shutout. Five three-up, three-down innings helped the Lopes to their 2-0 win over the Wolverines.

Olsen got the offense started for the Lopes in the bottom of the second frame with a single to right field to place herself on base. Senior outfielder Maddie Dowdle advanced Olsen to third with a two-out double to right center. The Lopes loaded the bases with a bunt single from Kaye before sophomore catcher Kaylee Dietrich got the walk, scoring Olsen to put the Lopes on the board.

GCU didn't get another runner into scoring position until the bottom of the fifth inning, when senior third baseman Sierra Smith put a one-out triple down the right-field line for her first hit of the game. Tourville was hit by a pitch to reach first, followed by a sacrifice fly to center field from Olsen, which allowed Sierra Smith to put the Lopes up 2-0 with a run to end the game's scoring.

GAME 2
GCU and Utah Valley went scoreless in the first inning of Game 2, as the Lopes left three runners on base after singles from Sierra Smith, Tourville and Olsen.

The Lopes picked up five runs in the bottom of the second with four coming when two outs were on the board. Dowdle and Kaye got on base with singles to start the inning, allowing Dietrich to advance them on a sacrifice bunt. Junior outfielder Loriann Olson followed up with a single to center field, sending Dowdle and Kaye home before getting caught while heading to second. Senior shortstop Shea Smith stepped up for her first hit of the night, sending a home run over the center-field fence to put GCU ahead 3-0.

With two outs on the board, Sierra Smith singled to right field before stealing second on the next at bat. A Tourville double sent her home before Olsen hit another double, bringing Tourville home. The Lopes finished the second inning with five runs, seven hits and one runner left on base.

The Lopes tacked on another run in the bottom of the third, as Shea Smith earned an RBI on a fielder's choice to score Dowdle.

GCU sealed the deal with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the fourth frame, as a single from Tourville and a double from Olsen put two runners on for the Lopes with no outs. Pinchrunners Christine Bellavia and Rachel Hammons were sent home on a pair of sacrifice flies from sophomore Lilly Bishop and junior Jordon Keeton, ending the shutout doubleheader.

The Lopes and the Wolverines return Saturday to close the three-game series at 6 p.m. (Phoenix time) at GCU Softball Stadium.