GCU wins series, gains WAC momentum

Saturday, April 8

Orem, Utah

11 a.m. (MST)

Grand Canyon

31-8, 7-5

Utah Valley

12-20, 6-6

Grand Canyon

Utah Valley

Photo by: Adrianna Candelaria

4/8/2023 3:59:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Darwin throws 4 2/3 shutout innings; Lopez goes 3 for 3 with walk

By: Adrianna Candelaria

OREM, Utah — The Grand Canyon softball team (31-8, 7-5 WAC) proved victorious in Saturday's must-win rubber match against Utah Valley, (12-20, WAC 6-6). clinching the Lopes' third WAC series of the season and securing a third-place standing in the WAC with four series to go.

The Lopes offense, which was held to four hits and one run against Wolverines starting left-handed pitcher Katie Zuniga on Friday, made the necessary adjustments on Saturday to swing for eight hits in beating Utah Valley 5-2.

Sophomore pitcher Emily Darwin improved her record to 5-3 while dropping her ERA to 1.75 with her second shutout performance of the series. She held Utah Valley scoreless for 9 2/3 innings with only six hits allowed, including just two on Saturday in 4 2/3 innings as the starter.

Darwin and reliever Ariel Thompson each posted a perfect inning and held the Wolverines scoreless until the seventh inning.

Although Lopes junior first baseman Kaitlyn Brannstrom notched her fifth home run of the season in the fourth inning, GCU's Game 3 victory was built on base hits.

The Lopes drew first blood after a second-inning double from senior catcher Kinsey Koeltzow, who scored when senior second baseman Macee Barnes singled to right field with two outs.

In the top of the third, senior designated player Ramsay Lopez doubled to left, and was brought home on senior third baseman Madison Schaefer's double down the right-field line.

The Lopes strung their final runs together in the fifth, as junior shortstop Katelyn Dunckel singled to left field before senior center fielder Hannah Burnett reached on a Wolverines error, Lopez, who went 3 for 3 to share the team hitting lead with Brannstrom at .377, hit another double to bring Dunckel home for a 4-0 edge, and Schaefer then reached on an UVU error to send Burnett home and put GCU ahead 5-0.

GCU will be back in action Tuesday for a crosstown midweek matchup at Arizona State at 6 p.m. (Phoenix time) before hosting a three-game WAC series against conference leader Utah Tech (24-13, 9-3 WAC) on Friday and Saturday.