Lopes head to Tarleton for 1st-ever meeting


Grand Canyon Lopes (17-25, 6-6 WAC)	at	Tarleton Texans (16-31, 4-8 WAC)
		Friday: 4 p.m. 6:30 p.m. Saturday: noon
Game Notes (PDF)		Live Video Live Stats

Grand Canyon travels for the last time in the regular season as the Lopes head to Stephenville, Texas, for their first-ever meeting with Tarleton. GCU is ranked third in the WAC and sits three games behind first-place New Mexico State. The Texans, in their first season in Division I and the WAC, are in last place and trail by five games.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

FIRST-TIME OPPONENT: The Lopes and Texans have never competed against each other in school history.
FIRST IN WAC: Senior right-hander Lexy Coons has a WAC-best ERA of 1.26 in conference play. The senior went the distance in a complete game shutout win over California Baptist on Saturday.
RECORD HOLDER: Junior outfielder Gianna Nicoletti has 36 career stolen bases, including 25 this season, to earn the top spot in the GCU Division I-era record books for career and single-season steals.

SCOUTING
In their first season in the WAC and Division I, the Texans are 16-31 overall and 4-8 in conference play. Prior to joining the WAC and transitioning to DI, the Texans were a powerhouse in the Lone Star Conference. Tarleton took one game from both Dixie State and Seattle U, as well as defeating California Baptist twice. The only team the Texans were not able to beat was New Mexico State, who beat the twice by run rule. The Texans score 3.4 runs per game on .237 hitting, with a slugging percentage of .353 and a .315 on-base percentage. In the circle, the Texans staff has posted a 5.81 ERA with 28 complete games and two shutouts. Four Texans have started all 47 games (Jordan Dickerson, Georgia Capell, Morgan Medford and Hallie Saintignan). Freshman infielder Katy Schaefer has made 45 starts and is the Texans' biggest threat in the box. Schaefer leads Tarleton in hits (42), RBIs (31), slugging percentage (.508) and on-base percentage (.393). Junior outfielder Georgia Capell is another offensive threat with team highs for home runs (seven), doubles (10) and runs (26). Sophomore left-handed ace Tristian Bridges has 18 complete games in 24 starts with a 10-17 record and a team-high 87 strikeouts. Junior right-handed pitcher Julia Wernet has logged the second most innings with 105. She has made 19 starts with a 6-11 record and has nine complete games and 44 strikeouts.

LAST TIME OUT

GCU traveled to Riverside, California, to take on the Lancers of California Baptist. The Lopes dropped two of three, winning the Saturday game in shutout fashion.

WHAT'S NEXT

The Lopes host Seattle U for their final WAC series on May 7-8. at GCU Softball Stadium. GCU will honor its five seniors after the Saturday game.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Lexy Coons

Gianna Nicoletti

Grand Canyon University Athletics