Fierce series finale goes to Southern Utah

Saturday, April 20

Phoenix, Ariz.

1 p.m.

Grand Canyon

39-10, 17-3

Southern Utah

18-23, 7-13

Southern Utah

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Jayden Todd

4/20/2024 5:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

With equal hits, game decided by late Thunderbirds grit

By: Adrianna Candelaria

The Grand Canyon softball team's WAC series sweep streak came to a close Saturday with an 8-7 loss to Southern Utah at GCU Softball Stadium.

After sweeping the Thunderbirds in a Friday night doubleheader to secure a WAC series win, the third game against Southern Utah proved to be an uphill battle. With second-place California Baptist's loss Saturday, GCU maintained a four-game conference lead.

The Lopes (39-10, 17-3 WAC) opened the afternoon with a pair of runs for an early lead, as leadoff graduate first baseman Ashley Trierwieler singled to the shortstop, and graduate right fielder Kristin Fifield knocked her 11th ball out of the park this season. Trierweiler tied her single-game season high of four hits, originally set in GCU's 7-3 victory over Oregon State in March.

Southern Utah (18-23, 7-13 WAC) evened the score in the top of the second with four base hits but fell behind in the bottom of the second. Lopes freshman second baseman Savannah Groshong-Kirk singled up the middle, stole second and came home on a Trierweiler double to left center for a 3-2 GCU lead. Kirk went 3 for 4 at the plate, tying her season-best hit total.

Momentum seemed to take a turn in the top of the fifth when the Thunderbirds notched a three-run home run for their first lead of the game, but the Lopes didn't go down without a fight. In the bottom of the fifth, senior left fielder Kayla Rodgers and Fifield, respectively, reached base on a single and a walk before executing a double to steal. Graduate designated player Ramsay Lopez brought Rodgers home on a grounder, cutting the deficit to 5-4.

Keeping Southern Utah hitless in the sixth with three strikeouts and a walk by junior pitcher Emily Darwin, GCU's rally continued ith a Kirk single and a tying RBI double from sophomore pinch hitter Brynn-Jordan Smythe. Junior third baseman Lovey Kepa'a recorded the first out of the inning, advancing Smythe to third on a ground ball before a wild pitch made her the go-ahead run. Trierweiler then smacked her second home run of the season for a 7-5 Lopes lead.

But the Thunderbirds battled back, scoring three runs on four hits in the top of the seventh to claim an 8-7 stake.

With two outs in the bottom of the seventh, Kirk sped to first base for a single and advanced to third on single from freshman catcher Tinley Lucas. In attempt to apply pressure, GCU head coach Shanon Hays brought junior pinch hitter Kaitlyn Brannstrom to the plate, resulting in a stolen base for Lucas and a walk to load the bases.

Southern Utah was then faced with Trierweiler, the last Lope they'd hope to see at the plate. She took a five-pitch at bat before flying out to the deepest corner of left field to close the game.

GCU will regroup before heading to Nacogdoches, Texas, for a WAC weekend series against Stephen F. Austin (15-33, 8-12 WAC) starting Friday.