GCU drops 1st conference series since 2023

Saturday, March 22

Phoenix, Ariz.

12 p.m.

Grand Canyon

23-6, 3-2

Tarleton State

18-14, 4-5

Tarleton State

Grand Canyon

Photo by: Jayden Todd

3/22/2025 3:45:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

Getting 3 hits from Kirk, Gomez not enough to propel Lopes

By: Braden Dohrmann

Grand Canyon took a 5-2 loss in the rubber-match series finale against Tarleton State on Saturday at GCU Softball Stadium.

The loss marked the Lopes' first WAC series loss since 2023 and the first home series loss since 2022.

GCU (23-6, 3-) could not catch a break offensively over the weekend series that started with a Friday doubleheader split against Tarleton State (17-14, 3-5 WAC). The Lopes' offensive firepower entered the series with the nation's eighth-best batting average but produced six runs over the three contests.

On Saturday, five GCU pitchers appeared in the circle, where four pitched in a crazy fourth inning that helped the Texans take and extend a lead from which the Lopes could not rally.

GCU sophomore second baseman Savannah Kirk and senior outfielder Makaiya Gomez were bright spots in the lineup, each slashing three hits apiece. Kirk raised her batting average to .490, and she stole her 25th base of the season, both numbers that rank in the national top 20.

Gomez scored a run in the second after sophomore catcher Tinley Lucas ripped an RBI single through the left side to tie the game at 1-1. Gomez brought in a run in the bottom of the seventh, when she banged a drive off the wall in right-center field for a two-out RBI double and GCU's final run.

Tarleton also pitched by committee with Shelby Schultz earning the win for her work in innings 3 through 5 and Game 1 winner Hannah Blincoe notching a two-inning save.

The Lopes were ranked No. 24 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association top-25 poll at the start of the week, but a 1-3 week that included a Tuesday extra-innings loss to No. 10 Arizona will leave them with work to earn their way back.

GCU plays four games in Riverside, California, in the upcoming week, including a Wednesday stop at UC Riverside and a three-game series at California Baptist (15-17, 3-3 WAC).