Lopes edged by Wildcats at home

Friday, April 12

Phoenix, Ariz.

5 p.m.

Grand Canyon

26-15

Arizona

33-7

Arizona

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Takashi Sato

4/12/2019 9:16:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

GCU holds Arizona scoreless in 11 innings

By: Cassidy Mace

The Grand Canyon softball team held No. 8 Arizona scoreless for 12 innings of Friday night's doubleheader and allowed just four hits in Game 2, but the Lopes (26-16) were defeated twice by the Wildcats (34-7) at GCU Softball Stadium.

GCU saw impressive performances from its pitching staff, while freshman second baseman Savannah Tourville had two hits on the night.

Game 1
GCU held the Wildcats scoreless through the first four innings of Game 1 before Arizona put the first run on the board with a solo home run to right center in the top of the fifth inning.

The Wildcats loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the sixth, allowing them to score five runs to lead 6-0, the final score.

Senior centerfielder Taylor Kaye became the first baserunner of the game for the Lopes with a two-out walk in the bottom of the sixth but was unable to advance. Freshman first baseman Taylor Olsen got on base with an error as the leadoff batter for the Lopes in the bottom of the seventh and Tourville followed with GCU's first hit, a single to left field that advanced Olsen to second to close GCU's Game 1 offense.

Sophomore right-hander Yessie Morrison (8-5) started for the Lopes in the circle and surrendered four hits while sophomore Lexy Coons took over in the top of the sixth to finish the game.

Game 2
Sophomore Ryan Denhart (9-4) did not give up an earned run over eight innings but took a complete-game loss in Arizona's 2-0 win.

Senior third baseman Sierra Smith hit a lead off single up the middle to start the offense for the Lopes in the bottom of the first. Fellow senior Shea Smith also landed on base off a walk, but the shortstop and her sister were left stranded on a fielder's choice.

Denhart put the Arizona batters down in order in the third and fourth innings and both teams went scoreless through the sixth inning.

Tourville hit her second single of the night in Game 2, sending the ball into left field in the bottom of the seventh. Freshman Gianna Nicoletti pinch ran for Tourville and advanced to second on a groundout from sophomore designated player Lilly Bishop, but was stranded to send the game to extra innings.

In the top of the eighth inning, Arizona took the lead with a two-run, two-out single that followed a Lopes error. GCU was unable to answer in the bottom half of the frame.

GCU and Arizona return for the series finale Saturday at 1 p.m. The game will air live on FOX Sports Arizona.