Lopes split Day 1 of Purple Classic

Friday, February 18

Phoenix, Ariz.

5 p.m.

Grand Canyon

6-2

Santa Clara

2-5

Santa Clara

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Skyler Coblentz

2/18/2022 10:52:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery Photo Gallery 2

Thompson throws complete-game win against Idaho State

By: Kellie Reynolds

The Grand Canyon softball team opened the GCU Purple Classic with an 8-1 loss to Santa Clara on Friday, but bounded back with a 7-3 victory against Idaho State on Friday night at GCU Softball Stadium.

Thompson earns 3rd win of season

GCU moved to 7-2 with junior pitcher Ariel Thompson throwing a complete game, allowing two earned runs while striking out seven in the Lopes' 7-3 win against Idaho State.

The Bengals struck first in the nightcap with two runs in the top of the first. Thompson (3-1) got herself out of the jam, though, by striking out the side. The Lopes responded in the bottom half of the first when senior left fielder Gianna Nicoletti led off with a single up the middle and Dunckel followed with a single to left-center field. A double steal by Nicoletti and sophomore shortstop Katelyn Dunckel set up runners at second and third for graduate first baseman Denae Chatman, who tied the game at 2-2.

After two scoreless innings, the Lopes took the lead off a solo home run from junior catcher Kinsey Koeltzow with one out in the bottom of the fourth inning.

Thompson held off the Bengals in the top of the fifth, setting up GCU to extend the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Lopes junior Jocellyn La Flesch had a pinch-hit single, followed by Nicoletti's second hit. Reed was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Dunckel, whose single to center scored two for a 5-2 lead. With runners on first and second, junior designated player Annie Villalobos singled to right field, bringing in two more runs for a 7-2 lead.

Lopes fall in matinee game

After a scoreless first inning for the Broncos and Lopes, Santa Clara got on the board in the second inning scoring three runs on two hits. Both GCU and the Broncos hung zeros in the third inning, but Santa Clara managed to extend their lead scoring two runs in the top of the fourth inning.

Centerfielder Stephanie Reed picked up her second hit of the game with a single to center field in the bottom of the fourth inning. Reed would be stranded there.

Both the Lopes and Broncos were scoreless in the fifth inning despite a one out double by catcher Kinsey Koeltzow in the bottom half of the inning.

Santa Clara tacked on three more runs in the top of the sixth inning lifting them to an 8-0 lead over the Lopes. With one out left fielder Gianna Nicoletti drew a walk and stole second with two outs getting into scoring position for Katelyn Dunckel. Dunckel delivered with a single up the middle scoring Nicoletti and getting the Lopes their first run of the game.