Friday split ends with GCU shutout

Friday, February 23

Phoenix, Ariz.

4 p.m.

Grand Canyon

8-3

New Mexico State

8-3

New Mexico State

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Wesley Kurz

2/23/2024 9:53:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Lopes fall to New Mexico State's late charge, Golden gets complete-game shutout

By: Adrianna Candelaria

Grand Canyon concluded the first day of the GCU/ASU Classic with a Friday doublehader split, getting a 4-0 shutout of Idaho State after losing 4-1 to New Mexico State at GCU Softball Stadium.

Golden throws complete-game shutout

Friday evening's second game was all Lopes, as they tallied four runs and held Idaho State to only two hits. Lopes head coach Shanon Hays adjusted his early-season lineup to give freshman second baseman Mackenzie Nolan her first career start and allow redshirt senior Kaitlyn Brannstrom her first defensive start of the season at first base.

Junior pitcher Meghan Golden, now 2-0 on the season, led GCU in the circle with nine strikeouts, two walks and an overall collected presence.

The Lopes posted a pair of two-run innings, in the fourth and sixth, with two RBIs by senior catcher Mikaela Payne, one by senior left fielder Kayla Rodgers and one by Nolan. Nolan and graduate center fielder Ashley Trierweiler led the team with two hits apiece to total half of the Lopes' eight hits.

Lopes fall to late Aggies charge

Despite an early 1-0 Lopes lead, GCU failed to add insurance runs against a prepared New Mexico State defense and fell victim to late consecutive scoring innings for the Aggies.

GCU battled New Mexico State in a competitive pitchers' duel until the Lopes broke their silence in the bottom of the third inning. After forcing an Aggies three-and-out, GCU took a 1-0 lead on a RBI sacrifice fly by senior shortstop Katelyn Dunckel.

NMSU scored four runs on six hits while GCU managed five hits and left six Lopes on base throughout the remaining frames. The Aggies pieced together a three-run sixth inning on four singles and one sacrifice fly to center field. Holding GCU hitless in the sixth, with only freshman catcher Tinley Lucas allowed on base by walk, the Aggies returned to the plate to score one final run on a single through the right side.

GCU senior pitcher Hailey Hudson (2-3) threw 5 1/3 innings with five strikeouts, five hits and one walk; while graduate pitcher Megan Schumacher made a 1 2/3- inning appearance.

The Lopes continue tournament play on Saturday with Seton Hall (4 p.m. Phoenix time) and Ohio State (6:30 p.m.) at GCU Softball Stadium.