GCU takes down Idaho State in nailbiter

Sunday, February 20

Phoenix, Ariz.

9 a.m.

Grand Canyon

8-3

Idaho State

3-7

Idaho State

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Skyler Coblentz

2/20/2022 11:36:00 AM | Softball

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Lopes staff allows 2 hits in 2-1 win that closes 4-2 weekend

By: Kellie Reynolds

The Grand Canyon softball team limited Idaho State to two hits to close out the Purple Classic with a 2-1 win against Idaho State on Sunday morning at GCU Softball stadium.

"Good way to finish a long weekend against a good Idaho State team," Lopes head coach Shanon Hays said. "They have been playing very well and we pitched it well as a staff. I felt like we hit the ball better than our stat line showed, but it was good to pitch and defend well for the win. (Going) 4-2 is not a terrible weekend, but I was glad to see that our team expected better."

After 2 1/2 scoreless innings, the Lopes got on the board first as junior designated player Jocellyn La Flesch started the bottom of the third with a walk. Junior Macee Barnes ran for La Flesch and stole second, putting a runner in scoring position. Helping her three no-hit innings as pitcher, sophomore Kaila Eastburn singled through the right side to score Barnes for a 1-0 lead. With two outs, graduate center fielder Stephanie Reed singled to right center and scored on a double by sophomore shortstop Katelyn Dunckel.

After scoreless fourth and fifth innings, the Bengals got on the board in the top of the sixth with a solo home run that cut the Lopes lead to 2-1. Junior pitcher Ariel Thompson came in after the Lopes gave up a home run and closed the door on Idaho State.

The Lopes were scoreless in the bottom half of the sixth and Thompson finish the save in her no-hit, two-inning outing.

GCU is back in action on Friday, when it plays future WAC member Incarnate Word at 5 p.m. in the Lopes Up Classic at GCU Softball Stadium.