Upcoming Event: Softball versus Southern Utah on February 6, 2026 at 4 p.m.
Softball
4 p.m.
vs Southern Utah
Grand Canyon University Athletics
GCU tabbed as MW preseason favorite
1/29/2026 1:00:00 PM | Softball
4 Lopes selected to Preseason All-Mountain West team
Despite the conference strength going up with Grand Canyon's move to the Mountain West, the Lopes' new peers still consider GCU as the cream of the crop in its new conference.
The Mountain West coaches' preseason poll selected GCU to win the conference with six first-place votes from nine opponents. Lopes junior second baseman Savannah Kirk was picked Preseason Player of the Year, while senior pitcher Taryn Batterton, senior first baseman and designated player Emily Gonzalez and sophomore first baseman Jada Cooper were all selected to the Preseason All-Mountain West Team.
Sitting atop the coaches' poll with 77 points, GCU was followed by Nevada (73), San Diego State (68) and Boise State (54). Nevada received the four remaining first-place votes.
"It is nice to be recognized for what we have done over the past couple of years, " Lopes fifth-year head coach Shanon Hays said. "Obviously, preseason rankings really do not matter, and we are ultimately going to have to step up and take on a tough challenge, that is navigating the Mountain West week in and week out."
GCU builds on four consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, all coming in the four years of the Hays' tenure. The Lopes won four consecutive WAC Tournament titles, along with three regular-season titles during that span.
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The Lopes competed in the Tucson Regional as a No. 3 seed last season after the three previous NCAA Tournament berths sent them to the Los Angeles Regional. In Tucson, the Lopes earned a regional win over Santa Clara, marking the third year in a row with a tourney win for Grand Canyon. GCU will play rematches with Santa Clara twice over the opening weekend at GCU Softball Stadium.
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Kirk earned respect around the country after another massive year for Grand Canyon. The junior second baseman ranked second nationally for batting average (.505) and third for hits (GCU-record 97) last season. Kirk stole 50 bases on 50 attempts, the most stolen bases without being caught in the nation last season.
The native of Waddell, Arizona, has had quite the month of recognition leading up to the season. Kirk was ranked a top-five second baseman in the country by D1Softball and Softball America, making both outlets' preseason top-100 rankings. D1Softball also ranked Kirk as the No. 5 mid-major player.
Kirk became GCU's fourth consecutive preseason conference player of the year, following herself in 2025, Kristin Fifield (2024) and Katelyn Dunckel (2023) in the WAC. Kirk followed up last season's preseason award by winning the postseason award as well.
"When you put up the kind of numbers she has over the past two years, you are in rarefied air," Hays said. "I have never had a player hit over .500, and then to add on a perfect 50 for 50 stolen bases, she was obviously an insanely impactful player on our team to start her career. We are happy for her, and are glad that she continues to gain the respect she deserves."
Batterton was named to the Preseason All-Mountain West Team, coming off an 18-win season in 2025. She is one of three MW pitchers on the preseason team.
Making 19 starts and 33 appearances last season, Batterton boasted an 18-1 record, 2.14 ERA, one save and three complete games. In Week 1 of the 2025 season, Batterton fired off a five-inning no-hitter against Colgate.
The senior right-hander made the ultimate comeback in her junior year. After starting her college career with the Lopes in 2023, she went to McLennan Community College in Texas for the 2024 season to gain more experience in the circle. Batterton made her return to Grand Canyon last season, after leading McLennan to an NJCAA World Series runner-up finish. Her 114 innings of dominance earned her two WAC Pitcher of the Week awards and spots on the All-WAC first-team and All-National Fastpitch Coaches Assocation second team.
Batterton is expected to lead a dynamic pitching staff that ranked third in the nation in ERA in 2025. She was ranked by D1Softball as the No. 37 mid-major player in the country going into the new season.
"We are super excited that Taryn is back and healthy for her final collegiate season," Hays said. "Her leadership, as we enter the Mountain West, is crucial for us. She was a rock for us and our pitching staff, and we hope that continues this season."
Jada Cooper looks to build on one of the best freshman seasons by a GCU player ever as she enters her sophomore season. The first baseman and designated player broke the GCU single-season freshman home run record with 12 bombs, alongside a .364 batting average, 48 RBI and nine doubles. As a freshman, Cooper started every game for the Lopes.
Cooper broke many games open last season, with memorable long balls in wins at Arizona State and on Opening Night vs. Northern Illinois. Cooper was an NFCA Freshman of the Year finalist, making the All-WAC first team list. The Houston native made the NFCA All-West Region first team and was picked as the No. 15 player on the D!Softball Mid-Major top 100 this preseason.
"Jada had a tremendous year last year," Hays said. "She certainly has gained the respect of those around the country. We have been playing her at different positions, and she had a very good fall, so we are expecting and relying on Jada to have a huge year for us, driving in the top of our lineup."
Gonzalez joins Cooper, Batterton and Kirk on the Preseason All-Mountain West Team after a breakout first year with Grand Canyon.Â
The senior first baseman and designated player started all 55 games for the Lopes, leading the team in home runs with 13, including multiple massive postseason shots. Her go-ahead, 11th-inning home run in the WAC Tournament championship game propelled GCU over Tarleton State for the team's fourth consecutive WAC Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth.
Gonzalez also homered in the Lopes' NCAA Tucson Regional win over Santa Clara.
"Gonzo" hit .383 with a .495 on-base percentage, adding 10 doubles and 41 RBI. Her efforts earned her All-WAC first-team honors and WAC Tournament MVP. This preseason, she was rated as the No. 42 player in D1Softball's Mid-Major Top 100 and will be a fixture in the middle of the Lopes' lineup.Â
"Emily is a super mature hitter, and I am happy to see people around the conference understand that," Hays said. "She has been as consistent a hitter in her career as she could possibly be, and we hope that she will even improve on her power numbers in her senior season."
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The Mountain West coaches' preseason poll selected GCU to win the conference with six first-place votes from nine opponents. Lopes junior second baseman Savannah Kirk was picked Preseason Player of the Year, while senior pitcher Taryn Batterton, senior first baseman and designated player Emily Gonzalez and sophomore first baseman Jada Cooper were all selected to the Preseason All-Mountain West Team.
Sitting atop the coaches' poll with 77 points, GCU was followed by Nevada (73), San Diego State (68) and Boise State (54). Nevada received the four remaining first-place votes.
"It is nice to be recognized for what we have done over the past couple of years, " Lopes fifth-year head coach Shanon Hays said. "Obviously, preseason rankings really do not matter, and we are ultimately going to have to step up and take on a tough challenge, that is navigating the Mountain West week in and week out."
GCU builds on four consecutive NCAA Tournament berths, all coming in the four years of the Hays' tenure. The Lopes won four consecutive WAC Tournament titles, along with three regular-season titles during that span.
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The Lopes competed in the Tucson Regional as a No. 3 seed last season after the three previous NCAA Tournament berths sent them to the Los Angeles Regional. In Tucson, the Lopes earned a regional win over Santa Clara, marking the third year in a row with a tourney win for Grand Canyon. GCU will play rematches with Santa Clara twice over the opening weekend at GCU Softball Stadium.
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Kirk earned respect around the country after another massive year for Grand Canyon. The junior second baseman ranked second nationally for batting average (.505) and third for hits (GCU-record 97) last season. Kirk stole 50 bases on 50 attempts, the most stolen bases without being caught in the nation last season.The native of Waddell, Arizona, has had quite the month of recognition leading up to the season. Kirk was ranked a top-five second baseman in the country by D1Softball and Softball America, making both outlets' preseason top-100 rankings. D1Softball also ranked Kirk as the No. 5 mid-major player.
Kirk became GCU's fourth consecutive preseason conference player of the year, following herself in 2025, Kristin Fifield (2024) and Katelyn Dunckel (2023) in the WAC. Kirk followed up last season's preseason award by winning the postseason award as well.
"When you put up the kind of numbers she has over the past two years, you are in rarefied air," Hays said. "I have never had a player hit over .500, and then to add on a perfect 50 for 50 stolen bases, she was obviously an insanely impactful player on our team to start her career. We are happy for her, and are glad that she continues to gain the respect she deserves."
Batterton was named to the Preseason All-Mountain West Team, coming off an 18-win season in 2025. She is one of three MW pitchers on the preseason team.
Making 19 starts and 33 appearances last season, Batterton boasted an 18-1 record, 2.14 ERA, one save and three complete games. In Week 1 of the 2025 season, Batterton fired off a five-inning no-hitter against Colgate.
The senior right-hander made the ultimate comeback in her junior year. After starting her college career with the Lopes in 2023, she went to McLennan Community College in Texas for the 2024 season to gain more experience in the circle. Batterton made her return to Grand Canyon last season, after leading McLennan to an NJCAA World Series runner-up finish. Her 114 innings of dominance earned her two WAC Pitcher of the Week awards and spots on the All-WAC first-team and All-National Fastpitch Coaches Assocation second team.
Batterton is expected to lead a dynamic pitching staff that ranked third in the nation in ERA in 2025. She was ranked by D1Softball as the No. 37 mid-major player in the country going into the new season.
"We are super excited that Taryn is back and healthy for her final collegiate season," Hays said. "Her leadership, as we enter the Mountain West, is crucial for us. She was a rock for us and our pitching staff, and we hope that continues this season."
Jada Cooper looks to build on one of the best freshman seasons by a GCU player ever as she enters her sophomore season. The first baseman and designated player broke the GCU single-season freshman home run record with 12 bombs, alongside a .364 batting average, 48 RBI and nine doubles. As a freshman, Cooper started every game for the Lopes.Cooper broke many games open last season, with memorable long balls in wins at Arizona State and on Opening Night vs. Northern Illinois. Cooper was an NFCA Freshman of the Year finalist, making the All-WAC first team list. The Houston native made the NFCA All-West Region first team and was picked as the No. 15 player on the D!Softball Mid-Major top 100 this preseason.
"Jada had a tremendous year last year," Hays said. "She certainly has gained the respect of those around the country. We have been playing her at different positions, and she had a very good fall, so we are expecting and relying on Jada to have a huge year for us, driving in the top of our lineup."
Gonzalez joins Cooper, Batterton and Kirk on the Preseason All-Mountain West Team after a breakout first year with Grand Canyon.Â
The senior first baseman and designated player started all 55 games for the Lopes, leading the team in home runs with 13, including multiple massive postseason shots. Her go-ahead, 11th-inning home run in the WAC Tournament championship game propelled GCU over Tarleton State for the team's fourth consecutive WAC Tournament title and an NCAA Tournament berth.
Gonzalez also homered in the Lopes' NCAA Tucson Regional win over Santa Clara.
"Gonzo" hit .383 with a .495 on-base percentage, adding 10 doubles and 41 RBI. Her efforts earned her All-WAC first-team honors and WAC Tournament MVP. This preseason, she was rated as the No. 42 player in D1Softball's Mid-Major Top 100 and will be a fixture in the middle of the Lopes' lineup.Â
"Emily is a super mature hitter, and I am happy to see people around the conference understand that," Hays said. "She has been as consistent a hitter in her career as she could possibly be, and we hope that she will even improve on her power numbers in her senior season."
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 Mountain West Preseason Player of the Year |
|
| Player | Team |
| Savannah Kirk, junior second baseman | GCU |
 Mountain West Preseason Pitcher of the Year |
|
| Player | Team |
| Hailey McLean, senior | Nevada |
 Preseason All-Mountain West Team |
|
| Player | Team |
| Taryn Batterton, senior pitcher | GCU |
| Jada Cooper, sophomore infielder | GCU |
| Emily Gonzalez, senior infielder | GCU |
| Savannah Kirk, junior second baseman | GCU |
| Kaylynn English, junior infielder | Colorado State |
| Madison Clark, junior infielder | Nevada |
| Haylee Engelbrecht, senior infielder | Nevada |
| Hailey McLean, senior pitcher | Nevada |
| Lala Macario, senior infielder | San Diego State |
| Julie Holcomb, junior outfielder | San Diego State |
| Quinn Waiki, sophomore infielder | San Diego State |
| Ahmiya Noriega, senior infielder | San José State |
| Yanina Sherwood, sophomore pitcher | Utah State |
| Grace Matej, senior catcher | Utah State |
| Kya Pratt, senior outfielder | Utah State |
 Mountain West Preseason Media Poll |
|||
| Rank | Team (first-place votes) | Points | |
| 1 |
 |
Grand Canyon (6) | 77 |
| 2 |
 |
Nevada (4) | 73 |
| 3 |
 |
San Diego State | 68 |
| 4 |
 |
Boise State | 54 |
| 5 |
 |
Utah State | 44 |
| 6 |
 |
Fresno State | 37 |
| 7. |
 |
Colorado State | 26 |
| 8t. |
 |
New Mexico | 25 |
| 8t. |
 |
UNLV | 25 |
| 10 |
 |
San José State | 21 |
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