Denhart 1-hitter seals series sweep

Saturday, April 6

Phoenix, Ariz.

6 p.m.

Grand Canyon

26-14, 0

CSU Bakersfield

13-19, 0

CSU Bakersfield

Grand Canyon

4/6/2019 8:14:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Holland walk-off clinches win

By: Cassidy Mace

The Grand Canyon softball team closed out its second conference sweep of 2019 with a win over CSU Bakersfield on Saturday night, as the Lopes (26-14, 8-1 WAC) outscored the Roadrunners (13-19, 2-4 WAC) 9-1 with a walk-off two-RBI single from sophomore catcher Kaileigh Holland to finish the game in six innings.

Freshman second baseman Savannah Tourville also had a strong night against CSU Bakersfield, recording two hits with three RBIs and scoring two runs for GCU. Sophomore right-hander Ryan Denhart (9-3) tacked on her second win of the weekend with a one-hit performance against CSUB, allowing one hit and one unearned run in 20 batters faced.

"It was a great weekend, we're always happy to get a sweep," GCU head coach Ann Pierson said. "The pitching for all three games was outstanding. With Ryan (Denhart) yesterday, Bo (Brianna Aguilar) coming in and closing the door, then Yessie (Morrison) throwing four great innings and Lexy (Coons) coming in and closing the door there, I'm really proud of them.

"Ryan's one-hitter today was outstanding. The defense was solid today. We came out with a better purpose, we were more selective at the plate, attacking the pitches in the zone and we just had multiple kids really swinging their bat well and moving runners.

"We definitely saw an improvement and that's always a good sign. I'm always happy to see the stuff that we're working on in practice showing up in the games. We have a big series now this upcoming weekend, so back to work. We're looking forward to Friday."

GCU loaded the bases with walks from senior shortstop Shea Smith, senior third baseman Sierra Smith and Tourville in the bottom of the first, allowing senior left fielder Maddie Dowdle to tally an RBI and advance the runners with a hit by a pitch. Sophomore designated player Lilly Bishop followed the play with a two-RBI single to left field, putting the Lopes ahead by three. Sophomore catcher Kaylee Dietrich closed out the first inning with a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Dowdle for the RBI.

The Lopes put three more runs on the board in the bottom of the second with a three-RBI double from Tourville, sending Shea Smith, Sierra Smith and senior center fielder Taylor Kaye home. All three runners got on base from walks from CSUB pitcher Julie Lewis (1-4).

CSU Bakersfield put one unearned run on the board in the top of the third after a GCU fielding error, cutting the Lopes' lead to six. Both teams went scoreless through the fourth and fifth innings.

Shea Smith and Tourville got the Lopes started in the bottom of the sixth with two bunt singles, advancing to third and second on a single to center field from Bishop. Holland stepped up to bat with the bases loaded, singling up the middle to send Smith and Tourville home to walk off.

Denhart pitched a complete game for the Lopes to improve to 9-3 this season.