Softball reveals 2023 schedule

After a historical 2022 season, the Grand Canyon softball program begins a new chapter this February, looking to continue its forward momentum under second-year head coach Shanon Hays.

"We have a very competitive schedule, with some top Power Five programs in the lineup, that should prepare us well for conference play this year," Hays said. "We are excited to spend most of our season at home as well."

The defending WAC champions are scheduled for 30 regular-season home games at GCU Softball Stadium, with 16 conference matchups and several strong nonconference opponents in the mix. All home games will be streamed on ESPN+. GCU Softball Stadium will also play host to the WAC Tournament on May 10-13, when the Lopes will attempt to repeat a title for a second consecutive NCAA tournament berth.

GCU makes its debut on Feb. 10 at the Incarnate Word Cardinal Classic, featuring Wisconsin-Green Bay and Eastern Illinois, before hosting part of the Littlewood Classic on Feb. 17-19, featuring DePaul, Illinois State, Oregon State, Portland State and Weber State.

But the home-field advantage doesn't end there, as the Lopes will play the remaining nonconference games on their turf. GCU hosts South Dakota, Montana and Utah State at the Purple Classic (Feb. 24-26), Michigan State, Boise State, New Mexico, Washington and Charlotte at the ASU/GCU Classic (March 3-5), and Colorado State and WAC counterpart Abilene Christian at the GCU Invitational (March 10-11).

GCU also will welcome CSU Bakersfield on Feb. 28 and San Diego on March 7.

WAC competition will commence on the road, where the Lopes face Sam Houston in Huntsville, Texas (March 17-18), followed by a quick home turnaround to take on Tarleton (March 24-25) before series at New Mexico State (March 31-April 1) and Utah Valley (April 7-8).

GCU will then host Utah Tech (April 14-15) and Seattle U (April 21-22), travel to California Baptist (April 28-29) and finish the WAC slate with Southern Utah in Phoenix on May 5-6, ahead of hosting the WAC Tournament on May 10-13.

The Lopes have also scheduled additional matches against Arizona State (April 11), Arizona (April 19) and San Diego (April 26).

2023 GCU softball schedule

(All dates and Phoenix times are subject to change)

UIW Cardinal Classic

Feb. 10 - at Wisconsin-Green Bay - 10 a.m.
Feb. 10 - at Eastern Illinois - 12:30 p.m.
Feb. 11 - at Wisconsin Green Bay - 10 a.m.
Feb. 11 - at Incarnate Word - 3 p.m.
Feb. 12 - at Eastern Illinois - 10 a.m.

Littlewood Classic

Feb. 17 - vs Portland State - 4 p.m.
Feb. 17 - vs Illinois State - 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 18 - vs DePaul - 4 p.m.
Feb. 18 - vs Weber State - 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 19 - vs Oregon State - 11:30 a.m.

Purple Classic

Feb. 24 - vs South Dakota - 4 p.m.
Feb. 24 - vs Montana - 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 25 - vs Montana - 4 p.m.
Feb. 25 - vs South Dakota - 6:30 p.m.
Feb. 26 - vs Utah State - 9:30 a.m.
Feb. 28 - vs CSU Bakersfield - 5 p.m./7:30 p.m.

GCU/ASU Classic

March 3 - vs Michigan State - 4 p.m.
March 3 - vs Boise State - 6:30 p.m.
March 4 - vs New Mexico - 4 p.m.
March 4 - vs UNC Charlotte - 6:30 p.m.
March 5 - vs Washington - 12 p.m.
March 7 - vs San Diego - 6 p.m.

GCU Invitational

March 10 - vs Abilene Christian - 12:30 p.m.
March 10 - vs Colorado State - 3 p.m.
March 11 - vs Colorado State - 12:30 p.m.
March 11 - vs Abilene Christian - 3 p.m.

WAC play

March 17 - at Sam Houston - 4 p.m.
March 18 - at Sam Houston - 12 p.m.
March 24 - vs Tarleton - 4:30 p.m.
March 25 - vs Tarleton - 1 p.m.
March 31 - at New Mexico State - 4 p.m.
April 1 - at New Mexico State - 4 p.m.
April 7 - at Utah Valley - 1 p.m.
April 8 - at Utah Valley - 12 p.m.

Nonconference game

April 11 - at Arizona State - 6 p.m.

WAC play

April 14 - vs Utah Tech - 4:30 p.m.
April 15 - vs Utah Tech - 1 p.m.

Nonconference game

April 19 - vs Arizona - 6 p.m.

WAC play

April 21 - vs Seattle U - 4:30 p.m.
April 22 - vs Seattle U - 1 p.m.

Nonconference game

April 26 - at San Diego - 5:30 p.m.

WAC play

April 28 - at California Baptist - 4 p.m.
April 29 - at California Baptist - 5 p.m.
May 5 - at Southern Utah - 4:30 p.m.
May 6 - at Southern Utah - 1 p.m.

Postseason

May 10-13 - WAC Tournament - GCU Softball Stadium

Grand Canyon University Athletics

2023 GCU softball schedule

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