Gritty win puts GCU in WAC championship round

Friday, May 12

Phoenix, Ariz

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

45-11

Seattle U

35-20

Grand Canyon

Seattle U

Photo by: David Kadlubowski

5/12/2023 5:02:00 PM | Softball, Paul Coro

Box Score Photo Gallery

Thompson's pitching, Lopes' steady offensive pressure beat Seattle U 4-2 in semifinal

By: Paul Coro

Grand Canyon softball saved its hottest hitting for the WAC Tournament, putting up its highest two-game hit total for a ridiculous .509 average in its first pair of tourney games.

But that did not mean cruising into Saturday's championship round. In the Friday winner's bracket semifinal at GCU Softball Stadium, the Lopes needed every bit of its 12-hit day, quality pitching and two double plays to advance with a 4-2 victory against Seattle U.

The Lopes (45-11) have surpassed the program's single-season win record by five with a seven-game winning streak that puts them a victory away from GCU's second consecutive WAC Tournament title and NCAA tournament berth. They will get two cracks at it Saturday in the double-elimination format, starting with a 1 p.m. rematch against Seattle U (36-19) at GCU Softball Stadium. if the Redhawks win, they will replay for the title at 4 p.m.

On Friday, the Lopes never trailed but only led 1-0 through five innings and headed to the final inning clinging to a 3-2 lead. But with the tying run on base and no outs, GCU sophomore reliever Emily Darwin followed starting an inning-ending double play in the sixth by retiring three batters in a row to extinguish the seventh-inning threat.

"It was one of those games where if you hang in there, battle and compete, hopefully good things happen and they did," GCU head coach Shanon Hays said.

The Lopes' 12 hits – all singles – included eight from the bottom four hitters in its batting order.

Phoenix, AZ May 12, 2023: Grand Canyon tops Seattle 4-2 to advance to the championship during WAC tournament play in Phoenix. Photo by: David Kadlubowski/ / GCU

After crushing her first home run of the season Thursday, senior catcher Kinsey Koeltzow delivered her first three-hit game since Opening Day on Friday. Her sixth-inning RBI single, which required a call reversal on Hays' video replay appeal, put GCU ahead 2-0 and set up senior second baseman Macee Barnes' RBI sacrifice fly for a 3-0 edge

"I finally feel back to normal," said Koeltzow, the WAC Defensive Player of the Year. "It's just been sweet being back in the postseason. I think it flips a switch for every team. This team comes all together, and I couldn't do it without them. It's been really special to be fired up by them and know they believe in me. I compete for them. That's what makes it fun."

GCU junior left fielder Kayla Rodgers matched Koeltzow's 3-for-3 day, but that was a continuation of a hot streak that puts her at 8 for 14 in the past five games.

Rodgers' clutchest play came defensively when the Lopes lead was only 1-0 and Redhawks shortstop Madison Kahwaty belted a leadoff hit to the left-field track. Rodgers played it cleanly on one hop off the wall and zipped a laser throw for Barnes to tag Kahwaty out and avoid a leadoff double.

"Kayla had some great at bats today," Hays said. "She was a huge catalyst for us winning. She made a phenomenal play (in left field). She's done it all year long. She steps up in big moments and shows here toughness, talent and leadership."

Phoenix, AZ May 12, 2023: Grand Canyon tops Seattle 4-2 to advance to the championship during WAC tournament play in Phoenix. Photo by: David Kadlubowski/ / GCU

Last year's WAC Tournament Most Valuable Player, GCU senior pitcher Ariel Thompson, shut out a Seattle U offense that ranked 13th nationally in hitting for the first five innings. She did not allow an earned run for the fourth time in her past five appearances, putting her ERA at 1.23 in that stretch.

"We've been waiting for our team to look like this and jell and mesh together all year," Thompson said. "Now we're here and doing it, so the joy on our faces is something I can't even explain. Seeing Darwin, a young girl getting out there and having grit. Her face when we got that double play is what I love to see."

When it was over, GCU celebrated the team aspect of its win. Its top-of-the-seventh insurance run, as the visiting team in its stadium, exemplified that with how the Lopes moved around senior center fielder Hannah Burnett after her leadoff bunt single.

Burnett, who is 10 for 15 in the past five games, went to second on a walk by junior right fielder Kristin Fifield before both runners were moved over by junior shortstop Katelyn Dunckel's s Phoenix, AZ May 12, 2023: Grand Canyon tops Seattle 4-2 to advance to the championship during WAC tournament play in Phoenix. Photo by: David Kadlubowski/ / GCU

acrifice bunt.

After Seattle U starting pitcher Stephanie Madrigal escaped several early jams by inducing ground balls with her drop curveball, GCU sent their third and fourth runs home on sacrifice flies.Scoring Burnett in the seventh inning came on an adjustment by senior designated player Ramsay Lopez with a deep fly to right.

Befpre Friday play started in the double-elimination tournament, Koeltzow told the team, 'We're winning today, so let's do it in one game."

"Same mindset tomorrow," Koeltzow said of the championship round. "We need a hot start and to be who we are."

The Lopes moved to 31-6 this season at GCU Softball Stadium. The Lopes have the seventh-most overall wins (45) in the nation, but the statistic would ring hollow without a return to NCAA regionals. GCU holds a seven-game winning streak in the series against Seattle U, but the past three meetings were decided by one or two runs.

"Hopefully, we'll have a big crowd," Hays said. "Our girls are looking forward to it. What I've liked about this team is they're relishing the challenge. They're not acting scared in any way. They're wanting to show everybody that we're a good ball club."