Fifield HR lifts Lopes past Hawks

Saturday, March 7

Phoenix, Ariz.

3 p.m.

Grand Canyon

5-18

Saint Joseph's

3-10

Saint Joseph's

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Elizabeth Tinajero

3/7/2020 8:13:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Grand Canyon looking to bounce back after dropping their first two games of the Lopes Up Classic, started off the day with Saint Joseph's. The Lopes defeated the Hawks 4-3, behind a three-run home run by Kristin Fifield and then fell in a pitcher's duel to Montana 0-1.

"Overall it was a great day. Getting the win in game one over a Saint Joseph's team that does not go away until the last out and that is exactly what we say certainly in the seventh inning," said GCU head coach Ann Pierson. "It was a battle and Lexy Coons threw a great game a complete game and I was really proud of her performance and it was one of her best ones this season. Defense made some tight play and then of course Kristin Fifield getting her first career home run was huge and very timely. I feel really good about game one."

SJU scored first as the took an early 1-0 lead over the Lopes in the top of the second inning.

Back-to-back singles by freshman designed player Olivia Zufelt and freshman right fielder Jaiden Reid jump started the Lopes offense in the bottom of the third inning. Junior first baseman Lilly Bishop scored Reid on a fielder's choice to give the Lopes their first run of the game. With two outs and runners on the corners freshman short stop Kristin Fifield hit a rocket over the right center field fence lifting the Lopes to 4-1.

In the top of the seventh inning the Hawks started a rally of their own as they scored two-runs on two hits. With runners on second and third freshman left fielder Mickey Covarrubio made a diving catch and then picked off SJU's runner from third base to end the game.

Junior pitcher Lexy Coons had a great day in the circle throwing the complete game and picking up her third win of the season.

Denhart holds Grizzles to 1-run, but Lopes fall

"And then changing the energy into game two, Ryan threw a great game and another complete game which we haven't seen since her Drake win," Pierson said. " I was super pleased with her attacking the zone and never being too high too low with her emotions. Our defense played great behind her, we had kids taking charge on the field and had some great at bats just hitting the ball hard right at people."

"I felt like we were always in the game and we were going to blow the game open at any given time because the girls were playing with so much confidence and had so much presence the entire night," Pierson said. "We got better today, we got a lot better today and I was just really pleased with them overall. We will turn around and get after it tomorrow against UNLV and finish the weekend on a high note. "

Montana scored the first and only run of the game in the bottom of the first inning on two hits.

The Lopes looked like they were going to tie the game up in the top of the second after Covarrubio hit a double to left center with one out and Reid followed it up with an infield single. GCU however could not score them.

From the third inning on junior pitcher Ryan Denhart did not allow a runner to get on base for the Grizzles.

On Sunday, GCU will conclude the Lopes Up Classic against UNLV at 12:30 p.m.