21-2 Lopes to host GCU Invitational

GCU Invitational \| March 10-12, 2023 \| GCU Softball Stadium \| Phoenix, Ariz.

	GRAND CANYON LOPES (21-2)	vs.
			ABILENE CHRISTIAN WILDCATS (6-15)
			COLORADO STATE RAMS (10-6)

WATCH: ESPN+ | STATS: View

The Grand Canyon softball team hosts the GCU Invitational, playing Abilene Christian and Colorado both on Friday and Saturday.

The Lopes improved to 21-2 this week, going 5-1 against Michigan State (W, 6-3), Boise State (W, 5-4) and New Mexico (W, 6-1), Charlotte (6-2), No.12 Washington (L, 0-5) and San Diego (W, 4-3).
GCU recorded a team single-game season high of six stolen bases against San Diego on Tuesday night, with half coming from senior center fielder Hannah Burnett for an individual single-game season high.
As a team, the Lopes currently rank sixth in shutouts (9), seventh in WL percentage (.913), eighth in doubles (36) and 10th in fielding percentage (.982) in the NCAA this season. Individually, senior right fielder Kristin Fifield ranks first in RBIs (38), second in RBIs per game (1.65), fourth in sacrifice flies (4), fifth in total bases (60) and sixth in home runs (8), while junior pitcher Hailey Hudson ranks fourth in shutouts (4).

The Wildcats enter the GCU Invitational 6-15 after most recently posting a 2-3 record at the Snowman Tournament last weekend (1-6 loss vs Murray State, two losses (1-6, 4-5) to Mississippi State and two wins (3-2, 7-0 forfeit) to Dartmouth.
Although the Wildcats do not hold any national team rankings, Sammi Shelander currently ranks 14th in sacrifice flies in the NCAA this season (3). Abilene Christian also does not lead the WAC in any categories.
Abilene Christian is led by Gianna Russo (.400 avg.), Talia Nielsen (5.07 ERA ) and Shelander (13 RBIs).

The Rams enter the GCU Invitational 10-6 after most recently recording a 3-3 effort last weekend at the Texas State Tournament, beating UT Arlington 4-3, and UTSA twice (6-4, 3-2), but falling to Kansas 3-6 and Texas State twice (1-4, 3-4).
Although Colorado State does not hold any national team rankings, Danielle Serna currently ranks 12th in toughest to strike out in the NCAA this season (46).
As a team, the Rams bat .293 and have a team ERA of 3.42; Colorado State is led by Maya Matsubara (.389 avg), Delaney Saugstad (1.68 ERA), and Serna (13 RBIs).

GCU vs. San Diego

Grand Canyon took a 4-3 win over San Diego at home Tuesday night, rallying from a 3-0 hole with 4 2/3 innings of shutout relief pitching and a clutch, go-ahead hit from senior second baseman Macee Barnes.
GCU recorded a team single-game season high of six stolen bases against San Diego on Tuesday night, with half coming from senior center fielder Hannah Burnett for an individual single-game season high.

GCU heads to Huntsville, Texas on Mar. 17-18 for their first WAC series of the season against Sam Houston.

Grand Canyon University Athletics