GCU downs Oregon State in Monday matinee

Monday, March 18

Phoenix, Ariz.

3 p.m.

Grand Canyon

23-7

Oregon State

14-16

Oregon State

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Wesley Kurz

3/18/2024 5:35:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Lopes defeat Beavers 7-3 at home with Trierweiler going 4 for 4

By: Adrianna Candelaria

Grand Canyon improved to 23-7 after starting the week with a 7-3 Mondaywin over Oregon State at GCU Softball Stadium.

GCU opened with a bang, posting three runs without an out in the first inning after senior shortstop Katelyn Dunckel singled to left field, graduate first baseman Ashley Trierweiler laid a perfect bunt down the third base line, and graduate right fielder Kristin Fifield cleared the bases with a deep home run to center field for a 3-0 lead.

Trierweiler went 4 for 4 to set a game high for hits.

Dunckel also smashed two home runs, a feat she last did in 2022, with a solo blast to left field in the second inning and a two-run homer in the fourth for three RBIs, which tied her season high from this past weekend against Seattle U.

The Lopes' final run stemmed from a RBI sacrifice fly by freshman second baseman Savannah Groshong-Kirk, after junior center fielder Makaiya Gomez launched a triple to right center.

In the top of the second, Gomez also caught a fly ball in center field and quickly connected with Dunckel to turn a double play with freshman third baseman Mackenzie Nolan, who started her first game.

GCU's pitching remained strong, with junior starter Meghan Golden improving to 5-2 after a three-inning performance with five strikeouts. Seniors Ariel Thompson and Hailey Hudson made appearances in the circle as well, for a committee total of only 5 hits. Thompson threw 3 1/3 innings of one-hit ball. With one out, two Beavers on base and a 3-1 count at the plate, Lopes head coach Shanon Hays called Hudson from the bullpen to finish the job. Despite one walk by Hudson loading the bases, she sent back-to-back Oregon State hitters down swinging to close the game.

The Lopes continue their homestand with a WAC series against Utah Valley on Friday and Saturday. GCU will open the weekend with a doubleheader at 4:30 p.m. (Phoenix time) and 7 p.m. on Friday, followed by a 1 p.m. game on Saturday.