Lopes complete series sweep of Utah Valley

Saturday, March 27

Phoenix, Ariz.

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

14-16, 0

Utah Valley

11-16, 0

Utah Valley

Grand Canyon

3/27/2021 4:42:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Fifield records RBI for go-ahead run in 3rd weekend win

By: Kellie Reynolds

The Grand Canyon softball completed the series sweep over Utah Valley on Saturday with a 2-1 pitcher's-duel win at GCU Softball Stadium.

"Great way to open up conference play with a sweep," Lopes head coach Ann Pierson said. "I was really pleased with our pitching and our defense all weekend. They were solid. The pitchers were efficient, throwing a lot of strikes and getting a lot of outs and I was just really pleased with it."

Utah Valley looked like they were going to get on the board in the first inning. The Wolverines had bases loaded and one out, but GCU right-handed pitcher Ryan Denhart left them there by striking out the next two batters.

"Ryan threw well all weekend and, of course, had the help of Sydnie Sahhar and Jacie Hambrick on opening day," Pierson said. "And Lilly Bishop just swung her bat great all weekend. She was hitting all locations and speeds really well."

Through the next three innings, GCU and UVU were scoreless. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Lopes senior first baseman Lilly Bishop singled through the right side to start the inning. Pinch-runner Christine Bellavia made her way to third and then scored on a Utah Valley error to give the Lopes a 1-0 lead.

After a scoreless fifth inning, the Wolverines tied the game at 1-1 by scoring on two hits in the sixth.

The Lopes responded in the bottom half of the inning as, once again, Bishop started the rally with a one-out double. Sophomore center fielder Kristin Fifield scored the go-ahead run with a double to left-center field.

"We had some timely hitting, and we have to credit Devyn Cretz, who is a tremendous pitcher for Utah Valley," Pierson said. "She kept us off balance and I was just proud of the kids for sticking with their plan at the plate and staying patient and being aggressive when the time allowed for it to happen."

Denhart retired the Wolverines in her second perfect inning and picked up her seventh win of the season.

"Really happy with the weekend and it was a great way to open up the WAC," Pierson said "Now we have to get back to work for a tough weekend in Las Cruces."

The Lopes head to Las Cruces, New Mexico, on April 3 for their second road trip of the season and second WAC series.