GCU defeats BYU, drops to Rutgers

Friday, March 11

Phoenix, Ariz.

2:30 p.m.

Grand Canyon

17-5

BYU

14-6

BYU

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Skyler Coblentz

3/11/2022 8:16:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2 Photo Gallery

The Lopes split in day one of the GCU/ASU Classic

By: Kellie Reynolds

The Grand Canyon softball team hosted BYU and Rutgers on Friday afternoon as part of the GCU/ASU Classic. GCU took down the Cougars in their opening game 2-0. The Lopes dropped the second game of the day to the Scarlet Knights 1-4.

"Not a great day for the Lopes offensively today," said Lopes head coach Shanon Hays. "Kristin (Fifield) and Kinsey (Koeltzow) had big hits in the first game and Ariel (Thompson) stayed tough for seven innings. That was a good RPI win over a good BYU club."

Neither team was able to get anything going in the first inning. The Lopes managed to string together some hits in the bottom of the second inning. First baseman Denae Chatman started off the inning with a walk and was pinch run for by Emma Villaescusa. Junior catcher Kinsey Koeltzow doubled to left center putting runners on second and third. With one out junior right fielder Kristin Fifield singled to right field bringing home the only two runs of the game.

In the bottom of the third inning left fielder Gianna Nicoletti started off the inning with a single up the middle and then stole second collecting her 61st career stolen base. Later that inning Nicoletti stole third and made herself the GCU career stolen base leader for all divisions. The Cougars were able to leave Nicoletti there.

After a scoreless fourth inning the Cougars threaten in the top of the fifth with bases loaded and one out but a heads-up double play from short stop Katelyn Dunckel closed out the inning for the Lopes.

Junior right hander Ariel Thompson tossed her sixth complete game and earned her second shutout as she kept the Cougars off balance and off the scoreboard earning her eighth win of the season.

Reed plates the only run for the Lopes

Sophomore right-hander Jacie Hambrick kept Rutgers off the board in the first inning, but the Scarlet Knights got on the board in the top of the second inning scoring one run on three hits.

"Second game we did not play well defensively, and their lefty threw great, "said Hays. "I was disappointed with that game all around. Jacie (Hambrick) did not throw bad, but we put her in some bad spots defensively. Ryan (Denhart) came in and threw really well! Hopefully we will come out ready tomorrow!"

Rutgers extended their lead in the top of the fourth inning scoring three runs on two hits and making it 4-0 Scarlet Knights. Senior right-handed pitcher Ryan Denhart came in the top of the fifth inning for the Lopes and retired Rutgers in order.

GCU got their first baserunner and hit of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning as Fifield singled up the middle with two outs. The Lopes rally was however, stopped there.

Senior third baseman Savannah Tourville started off the bottom of the sixth with a single to center fielder to get a rally started for the Lopes. With one out Nicoletti followed with a single up the middle to put runners on first and second. A little bad luck for the Lopes as Barnes was thrown out trying to steal third a pitch before center fielder Stephanie Reed doubled to right center scoring Nicoletti and cutting the lead to 1-4.

Denhart tossed her third scoreless inning and brought the Lopes to their final inning of play. With one out Koeltzow singled to left field, but the Lopes rally was stopped there.

The Lopes are back in action on Saturday as the take on Ball State at 2:30 p.m. at the GCU Softball Stadium.