Lopes head to NMSU for opening WAC series


Grand Canyon Lopes (17-7)	at	New Mexico State Aggies (5-15)
		Friday-Saturday, March 18-19 Friday: 6 p.m. (Phoenix time) Saturday: 4 p.m. (Phoenix time)
Game notes		Live video Live stats

The Grand Canyon softball team hits the road to Las Cruces, New Mexico, for its first trip of the season and its first conference matchup. GCU and New Mexico State will play one game on Friday night and two on Saturday night.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

FIRST ROAD TRIP: After playing 24 straight home games, the Lopes hit the road for the first time this season.
WAC OPENER: GCU opens WAC play with New Mexico State in Las Cruces on Friday. The Lopes will play one game on Friday night and two on Saturday night.
GREAT START: The last time the Lopes won at least 15 games before WAC play was 2019, when they were 18-13. GCU has a record of 17-7 thus far under first-year head coach Shanon Hays.

SCOUTING

NMSU enters the WAC season with a 5-15 preseason record. The Aggies picked up wins against UTEP, Ball State and two from New Mexico. NMSU was picked to finish second in the WAC West Division behind Seattle U and one spot in front of the Lopes.

The Aggies are hitting .314 in 20 games with 110 runs and 160 hits, including 26 doubles and 23 home runs. They have a team slugging percentage of .501 and .386 on-base percentage. NMSU has stolen 17 of 22 bases as well. In the circle, the Aggies staff is posting a 13.07 ERA. In 115.2 innings, NMSU has given up 219 hits, 192 runs, 168 earned runs and 46 home runs. Opposing teams are hitting .396 against them.

Senior Kayla Bowen and redshirt sophomore Ramsay Lopez were picked to the Preseason All-WAC team.

Bowen is the only Aggie who has started in all 20 games. She is hitting .339 with 20 hits, seven doubles, two home runs and 16 RBIs. Lopez has made 19 starts and played in all 20 games for NMSU. She is hitting .347 with 17 hits, 15 runs, three doubles, a team high of seven home runs and 17 RBIs. Infielder Maya Martinez has a team-best 19 RBIs on the season. The redshirt sophomore has started in 19 games and is hitting .364 with 20 hits, 15 runs, three doubles and five home runs.

Freshman Jordin King has logged the most innings in the circle for the Aggies with 44. She has a 12.48 ERA and a 2-4 record. King has given up 81 hits, 71 runs, 61 earned, 12 doubles and 18 home runs.

LAST TIME OUT
The Lopes went 1-2 in the GCU/ASU Classic, dropping their last two games of the tournament.

WHAT'S NEXT?
The Lopes will host Oregon State for a single game on Monday at 2 p.m. at the GCU Softball Stadium.

Grand Canyon University Athletics

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