Completed Event: Softball versus Northern Colorado on February 13, 2026 , Win , 12, to, 0
Softball
vs Northern Colorado
W 12-0
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Grand Canyon University Athletics
Lopes begin fall softball schedule
10/1/2024 11:00:00 AM | Softball
Junior college transfers highlight GCU's offseason additions
The Grand Canyon softball fall season is upon us, starting with two Division IÂ matchups at home this week.
Lopes head coach Shanon Hays understands the importance of the fall season development and situational softball that the scrimmages present. Coming off three straight WAC Tournament titles and NCAA tournament appearances, the only title that matters is the next one. First comes a fall schedule that includes local matchups, reunions and a trip to Las Vegas.
On Wednesday, Arizona State comes to GCU Softball Stadium to begin the fall slate. The Lopes will return the favor in Tempe two weeks later on Oct. 16. The convenient crosstown matchups provide opportunities to face good D-I pitching and will quickly test GCU's new-look lineup.
The Lopes reloaded through an impressive freshman class, as well as a talented transfer class. Four transfers from renowned junior college programs look to make an immediate impact.
Junior Arriana Wright is a two-time All-American utility player from San Jacinto College near Houston. Wright brings experience and energy with an ability to impact the lineup this season.
Junior outfielder Sydney McCray makes her way from Florida Southwestern State, where she also was a two-time All-American and won a junior college national championship. McCray is expected to score a lot of runs and steal plenty of bases with the speed she brings to GCU.Â
McCray brings a professional pedigree to the Lopes, with her father, Rodney, playing in the MLB with the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets from 1990-92. Her older brother, Grant, recently made a splash in his first month in the big leagues with the San Francisco Giants.
Mia Weckel is yet another junior college two-time All-American. Most recently, she was at Cal State Fullerton and makes her way to Phoenix with one more year of eligibility. The GCU staff described her as a "hitting gem" and a big time competitor who expects to crack the lineup often.
Junior pitcher Taryn Batterton returns to GCU after a yearlong stint in junior college softball. She was a part of the 2023 GCU team before heading to McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, for a season. The coaching staff has been excited to see a more polished version of Batterton this fall, and she is expected to battle for significant innings in the spring.
"The transfer class we brought in this year will be a huge part of the team dynamic and success this year," Hays said. "These players are all great fits, and we are lucky to have them on our side."
UTEP will cap off the opening week of fall ball at GCU Softball Stadium with a Saturday doubleheader at 4 and 6 p.m. (Phoenix times). A fun reunion will take place between GCU and ex-pitcher Ariel Thompson, the Miners' new pitching coach who made 86 Lopes appearances from 2022 to 2024.
"It will be great to see Ariel in the other dugout," Hays said. "She's been a foundational piece of building our program since I've been here. I love that we get to spend a day with her this week."
A trip to Las Vegas will be the lone trip outside of the Phoenix area this fall. The Lopes will take on UNLV and Southern Nevada on Oct. 12 and 13, respectively.
"It's always great to get to Vegas and get a couple scrimmages in there," Hays said. "It is a short trip and families are usually able to make the trip and come support."
After the game at ASU, GCU will finish the fall schedule with visits to Arizona Western and Western New Mexico in early November.
All games at GCU Softball Stadium have free admission. For the full fall schedule, click here.
Â
Lopes head coach Shanon Hays understands the importance of the fall season development and situational softball that the scrimmages present. Coming off three straight WAC Tournament titles and NCAA tournament appearances, the only title that matters is the next one. First comes a fall schedule that includes local matchups, reunions and a trip to Las Vegas.
On Wednesday, Arizona State comes to GCU Softball Stadium to begin the fall slate. The Lopes will return the favor in Tempe two weeks later on Oct. 16. The convenient crosstown matchups provide opportunities to face good D-I pitching and will quickly test GCU's new-look lineup.
The Lopes reloaded through an impressive freshman class, as well as a talented transfer class. Four transfers from renowned junior college programs look to make an immediate impact.
Junior Arriana Wright is a two-time All-American utility player from San Jacinto College near Houston. Wright brings experience and energy with an ability to impact the lineup this season.
Junior outfielder Sydney McCray makes her way from Florida Southwestern State, where she also was a two-time All-American and won a junior college national championship. McCray is expected to score a lot of runs and steal plenty of bases with the speed she brings to GCU.Â
McCray brings a professional pedigree to the Lopes, with her father, Rodney, playing in the MLB with the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets from 1990-92. Her older brother, Grant, recently made a splash in his first month in the big leagues with the San Francisco Giants.
Mia Weckel is yet another junior college two-time All-American. Most recently, she was at Cal State Fullerton and makes her way to Phoenix with one more year of eligibility. The GCU staff described her as a "hitting gem" and a big time competitor who expects to crack the lineup often.
Junior pitcher Taryn Batterton returns to GCU after a yearlong stint in junior college softball. She was a part of the 2023 GCU team before heading to McLennan Community College in Waco, Texas, for a season. The coaching staff has been excited to see a more polished version of Batterton this fall, and she is expected to battle for significant innings in the spring.
"The transfer class we brought in this year will be a huge part of the team dynamic and success this year," Hays said. "These players are all great fits, and we are lucky to have them on our side."
UTEP will cap off the opening week of fall ball at GCU Softball Stadium with a Saturday doubleheader at 4 and 6 p.m. (Phoenix times). A fun reunion will take place between GCU and ex-pitcher Ariel Thompson, the Miners' new pitching coach who made 86 Lopes appearances from 2022 to 2024.
"It will be great to see Ariel in the other dugout," Hays said. "She's been a foundational piece of building our program since I've been here. I love that we get to spend a day with her this week."
A trip to Las Vegas will be the lone trip outside of the Phoenix area this fall. The Lopes will take on UNLV and Southern Nevada on Oct. 12 and 13, respectively.
"It's always great to get to Vegas and get a couple scrimmages in there," Hays said. "It is a short trip and families are usually able to make the trip and come support."
After the game at ASU, GCU will finish the fall schedule with visits to Arizona Western and Western New Mexico in early November.
All games at GCU Softball Stadium have free admission. For the full fall schedule, click here.
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