Lopes drop final game of GCU Kickoff

Sunday, February 14

Phoenix, Ariz.

11 a.m.

Grand Canyon

2-4

Weber State

2-3

Weber State

Grand Canyon

2/14/2021 3:02:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Despite late rally, GCU falls to Weber State

Grand Canyon hoped to close out the GCU Kickoff Classic with a win Sunday but a seventh-inning rally against Weber State fell short in a 6-2 loss at GCU Softball Stadium.

"Six games on a weekend is a lot, but we did some good things," Lopes assistant coach Chelsey Broermann said. "We got into their bullpen again today, which is a team goal every game. We had a couple of opportunities to score and did not go quietly at the end of game. (Freshman pitcher) Jacie (Hambrick) did a great job in the circle for us again and gave us some energy on defense."

GCU (2-4) started out behind as the Wildcats scored a run in the top of the second inning. The Lopes collected their first hit in the bottom of the second when freshman shortstop Anjolee Aguilar-Beaucage singled up the middle with two outs, but that would be it for the second inning.

Weber State added three more runs in the top of the third and fifth innings for a 4-0 lead. The Wildcats managed to cross the plate two more times in the top of the seventh inning to stretch the lead to 6-0.

The Lopes showed signs of a comeback in the bottom of the seventh with a two-out rally started by junior left fielder Gianna Nicoletti, who drew a walk and advanced to third on a single by sophomore center fielder Kristin Fifield. Freshman third baseman Daisy Taloa singled down the right field line, scoring Nicoletti and Fifield. The Lopes' final hit of the game came from senior first baseman Lilly Bishop as she laced one down the right field line as well.

"We are a team that is going to score some runs, but the biggest thing is for us to have a plan, stick with it and we just came up short on that today," Broermann said. "Lots to learn from this game and this weekend to carry forward, which is exciting."

The Lopes hit the road for Friday and Saturday doubleheaders in San Diego.