Lopes hit 7 home runs in split with Aggies

Friday, April 2

Las Cruces, N.M.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

15-16, 0

New Mexico State

16-16, 0

Grand Canyon

New Mexico State

4/2/2021 10:46:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

GCU took Game 1, but drops 2nd to NMSU

By: Kellie Reynolds

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The Grand Canyon softball team traveled for just the second time this season to take on WAC opponent New Mexico State in their second conference series. In their Friday doubleheader, the Lopes and Aggies combined for 11 home runs, seven of which were hit by the Lopes, as they split a pair of 8-6 finals.

"I am so proud of our kids," Lopes head coach Ann Pierson said. "They played so well and so hard. We have been working on adjustments at the plate and the kids really swung their bats well. I am very pleased with the offensive production and our defense was solid as well. They made the routine plays and tough plays, just really consistent."

After a scoreless first inning and a half, the Aggies got on the board first, scoring two runs on three hits. The Lopes got one of their runs back in the top of the third inning, when senior first baseman Lilly Bishop left the park with a solo home run to right field.

New Mexico State responded with three runs on five hits in the bottom of the third inning, taking a 5-1 lead. Once again, the Lopes responded with a solo home run, this time off the bat of senior catcher Kaylee Dietrich.

In the top of the sixth inning, the Lopes got a rally going as freshman shortstop Anjolee Aguilar-Beaucage doubled down the left-field line. Senior designated player Kaileigh Holland followed with a run-scoring single up the middle. With bases loaded and no outs, freshman Izzabela Goerke hit a pinch-hit grand slam over the left-field fence. swinging the score into the Lopes favor at 6-5.

After the Aggies tied the scored at 6-6 in the sixth inning, GCU started a seventh-inning rally with junior third baseman Savannah Tourville singling through the left side with one out. Aguilar-Beaucage followed with her first career home run for an 8-6 lead that stuck when Lopes senior right-handed pitcher Lexy Coon retired the side with three ground balls in the bottom of the seventh.

"Our pitching staff was outstanding," Pierson said. "It was great to watch them support one another and feed off each other. Sydnie Sahhar came in and held a strong offense and Lexy came in to slam the door."

Fifield hits 2 homers in loss

In Friday's second game, the Lopes were the ones who started on top. GCU sophomore right fielder Jaiden Reid hit a one-out triple to right field. Bishop picked up the first RBI with a single through the left side. Sophomore center fielder Kristin Fifield cleared the bases with a home run to center field, giving the Lopes a 3-0 lead.

New Mexico State tied the score in the bottom of the second inning with three runs on two hits. After a scoreless inning, the Lopes took back the lead in the top of the fifth inning. The Aggies once again responded in the the fifth, scoring one run on two hits to tie the game at 4-4.

GCU took the lead back in the top of the sixth inning, as Holland hit her first home run of the season over the center-field fence. The Lopes added one more run in seventh inning, when Fifield hit her second home run of the game for a 6-4 lead.

The trend of the game continued, however. The Aggies responded in the bottom of the seventh, scoring four runs on three hits to win 8-6.

"Jacie Hambrick threw a great Game 2," Pierson said. "We learned some lessons in that game that will help us as we get through a tough conference schedule. We are looking forward to another tough battle tomorrow."

The Lopes and Aggies are back in action at the NM State Softball Complex on Saturday at noon (Phoenix time) in the rubber match.