Lopes split with UCSD in La Jolla

Sunday, February 21

La Jolla, Calif

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

4-5

UC San Diego

1-0

Grand Canyon

UC San Diego

2/21/2021 7:37:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

GCU drops 11-inning game, takes Game 2

By: Kellie Reynolds

LA JOLLA, Calif. – Grand Canyon softball split a doubleheader with UC San Diego on Sunday, when the Lopes rebounded from an 11-inning loss when their offense provided comfort for a 6-4 win at UCSD.

"This was a tough weekend against two very strong opponents," Lopes head coach Ann Pierson said. "Both programs are well coached and athletic. I am really happy that we were able to go 3-1 on the road. UCSD is a storied program and has had tremendous success. They will do very well at the Division I level."

In the opener, the Tritons got on the board first in the second inning and added a second run in the fourth.

GCU, which is 5-5 after a 3-1 weekend, got on the board in the top of the fifth as junior second baseman Savannah Tourville reached on an error and then scored on a triple to right field by freshman Anjolee Aguilar-Beaucage. Freshman Izzabela Goerke beat out an infield single and scored Aguilar-Beaucage to tie the game at 2-2.

UCSD responded with a run in the bottom of the fifth. GCU fought back in the top of the sixth, when sophomore right fielder Jaiden Reid doubled to right-center field. With two outs, Reid tied the score at 3-3 as she scored on a Tritons error.

The Lopes took the lead in the top of the seventh when Tourville singled through the left side to start the inning. GCU moved Tourville to third before junior left fielder Gianna Nicoletti hit a two-out single up the middle for a 4-3 Lopes lead.

Once again, UCSD was not going to go down easy as the Tritons tied the score on a two-out single in the bottom of the seventh to force extra innings.

"Game 1 was exciting, and it is great to have the experience of extra innings early in the season," Pierson said. "I was proud of the grit to keep grinding out opportunities for runs. We had opportunities to put more on the board and knock the game out of reach, but we ran into a tremendous pitcher in Wangler."

After two scoreless extra innings, Nicoletti reached on a one-out error in the 10th and stole second. Junior Taylor Olsen put GCU ahead 5-4 with a two-out, pinch-hit single to right.

The Tritons answered with a home run in the bottom half of the inning to tie it up at 5-5 and won in the 11th when two singles set up a walk-off fielder's choice.

"Ryan and Lexy teamed up to keep us in the game and hold a very strong offense in check," Pierson said. "We just need to take care of opportunities."

Offense provides in Game 2

GCU started the second game on top and held their lead the whole game. Nicoletti led off with a single through the left side and stole second to set the Lopes up to score. Sophomore center fielder Kristin Fifield singled up the middle, moving Nicoletti to third. Tourville collected one of her four RBIs when she hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Nicoletti.

"Game 2 was a great start getting on the board early and often," Pierson said. "Jacie pitched well and Sydnie came into give them a different look and slam the door."

Once again, it was Nicoletti who got the Lopes started in the third with a lead-off walk. With two outs and Nicoletti on second, Tourville hit her first home run of the season over the left-field wall to lift GCU to a 3-0 lead.

The Tritons tightened the Lopes' lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, then they scored to make GCU's lead 3-1.

In the top of the fifth, GCU doubled their run total. Freshman third baseman Daisy Taloa opened the inning with a double to left center and scored a batter later when Nicoletti singled up the middle. After stealing second, Nicoletti advanced to third on a single through the right side by sophomore Jaiden Reid. Nicoletti scored on a fielder's choice. Tourville picked up her fourth RBI of the game with a single to right field, scoring Reid.

UCSD scored one run in the fifth and two in the sixth but the Lopes were able to close out the win with sophomore left-handed pitcher Sydnie Sahhar pitching a no-hit seventh inning for her second save of the season.

"Syd really worked her pitches and locations and kept the hitters uncomfortable," Pierson said. "The game was closer than it needed to be, and we will tighten things up this week with some great work at practice. Overall, I am very happy with a 3-1 weekend."

The Lopes host the GCU Purple Classic, starting Friday with participants Portland State, Iowa State, New Mexico and Oklahoma.