WACO, Texas — Grand Canyon concluded the Getterman Classic with a 3-2 loss to Western Illinois in extra innings Sunday at Baylor.
The Lopes lost despite their pitchers not allowing an earned run, including junior
Yessie Morrison striking out seven batters in 5 1/3 innings after 2 1/3 innings from freshman
Sydnie Sahhar.
GCU (2-9) struck first as freshman center fielder
Mickey Covarrubio started the game with a single to left field. Freshman right fielder
Jaiden Reid followed with a single, setting up Covarrubio to score on a sacrifice fly by freshman designated player
Olivia Zufelt.
The Leathernecks (3-7) tied it at 1-1 in the bottom of the inning with a sacrifice fly and then took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the third.
Lopes freshman second baseman
Kristin Fifield doubled on a 1-2 pitch with one out in the fourth inning to spark a rally. Sophomore left fielder
Gianna Nicoletti followed with a single to give the Lopes runners on first and third with one out. GCU tied the game at 2-2 when Nicoletti stole second, causing a throw to second base and allowing Fifield to score.
Western Illinois started the eighth inning with a runner on second base, per tiebreaker rules, and scored off a two-out single to center field.
The Lopes will host the GCU Purple Classic, playing its first game at 6 p.m. Friday against Drake at GCU Softball Stadium.