Purple Classic coming soon

Friday, February 24

Phoenix, Ariz.

4 p.m.

Grand Canyon

Utah State

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2/21/2023 4:49:00 PM | Softball

GCU to host Utah State, Montana, South Dakota

By: Adrianna Candelaria

Purple Classic \| February 24-16, 2023 \| GCU Softball Stadium \| Phoenix, Ariz.

	GRAND CANYON LOPES (9-1)	vs.	Montana GRIZZLIES (0-10)
			Utah State AGGIES (4-6)
			South Dakota COYOTES (3-5)

WATCH: ESPN+ | STATS: View | GAME NOTES: View

The Grand Canyon softball team hosts its second home tournament this weekend, opening Friday against Utah State and Montana, facing Montana and South Dakota on Saturday and taking on South Dakota again on Sunday.

THREE THINGS TO KNOW

The Lopes are celebrating Military Appreciation Day/Night on Friday; GCU Softball is partnering with VetTix to offer Veterans and Military families FREE tickets, along with FREE hotdog and FREE churro vouchers as a special gift for the 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. games.
GCU posted its best start in program history at 9-1.
The Lopes posted their best start in program history with a 9-1 record, outscoring their opponents 78-19, and averaging .329.

SCOUTING MONTANA

The Grizzlies enter the Purple Classic 0-10 after losses two Middle Tennessee (twice), Fresno State (twice), CSU Bakersfield (twice), Hawaii (twice), UC Riverside, and UNLV.
Montana is averaging .194 at the plate and is led by junior infielder Kelly Sweyer (.296); the Grizzlies have been outscored by their opponents 76-23.
The Grizzlies bullpen is currently averaging a 7.08 ERA, led by junior Allie Brock with a 3.82 ERA through 25.2 innings pitched.
The Lopes have faced Montana 10 times in program history, with a GCU holding a 6-4 victory record and a three game win streak (2021 16-5, 2022 5-4, 2022 9-1).

SCOUTING UTAH STATE

The Aggies come to Phoenix 4-6, after wins over CSU Bakersfield (twice), and San Jose State, a St. Mary's split, and losses to UC San Diego (twice), Cal State Fullerton, Loyala Marymount, and Cal.
Utah State was shut out by Cal 13-0 in five innings last Sunday, and managed to take Loyola to eight (3-4) on Saturday. The Aggies dominated CSU Bakersfield 10-2 in five innings on Friday, but battled for nine innings against the Roadrunners on Saturday (3-2).
As a team, the Aggies are batting .208, and pitching 2.82; they are led by sophomore Claire Railey (.429, 21 at-bats). and sophomore Mia Reynolds (1.88, 26 innings pitched).
GCU historically carries a 2-1 record with Utah State, most recently losing to the Aggies, 0-7, at home, in February of 2020.

SCOUTING SOUTH DAKOTA

The Coyotes enter the Purple Classic 3-5 after wins over Drake, and Northern Iowa, a split with Sam Houston, and losses to No. 22 North Texas, No. 16 Kentucky, McNeese State, and UT Arlington.
South Dakota suffered five inning shut out losses to No. 16 Kentucky and UT Arlington (0-9, 010), and were shut out by North Texas as well (0-6).
The Coyotes are batting .263 and pitching 6.57 as a team; they are currently let by junior infielder Gabby Moser (.435, 23 at-bats) and sophomore Clara Edwards (3.82 ERA, 22 innings pitched).
GCU is historically 3-2 against South Dakota, winning the most recent matchup 9-0, at home, in March of 2020.

LAST TIME OUT

GCU at the Littlewood Classic

GCU posted it's best season start at 9-1, beating DePaul 7-1, Illinois State 6-4, Portland State 16-8 (5 inn.) and Weber State 6-0, but suffered its first loss to Oregon State, the 2022 College World Series qualifier, 4-5.