Completed Event: Softball versus Salt Lake CC on October 24, 2026 ,
Softball
vs Salt Lake CC
Grand Canyon University Athletics
Photo by: Josh Cale
11/11/2026 1:00:00 PM | Softball
Lopes hope to continue successful freshman development with 2027 trio of signees
Grand Canyon softball announced the signing of an impressive trio players set to join the Lopes in the fall of 2027.
Lopes sixth-year head coach Shanon Hays brings in his next star-studded class, building on his previous success with his signing classes, development and postseason accomplishments at GCU. In five years of leading Grand Canyon, Hays has won five conference tournament titles and six NCAA Tournament games, including reaching a second regional final last season at Nebraska.
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"We were able to be picky and specific with the girls we signed to this class," Hays said. "We did not need to fill many spots with players receiving a fifth year of eligibility and such large previous classes, so it really is a testament to these three that they impress us as much as they do and show us a continued bright future for our program."
The group includes three position players: a corner infielder, a middle infielder and a catcher.
EMERSON GUNTHER
Infielder - Laurel, Montana - Laurel High School
"
Emerson has huge upside that continues to develop each year," Hays said. "We think she will be an important piece in the middle infield for us in the future, and I see her as a Katelyn Dunckel-type player that has great defensive skills, and home run and doubles pop at the plate."
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Gunther is a four-time all-state player in Montana, putting together a historic sophomore season when she hit .744 with 21 home runs, 72 RBI and 64 hits. She is also an all-state basketball player.
"I chose GCU because of its family feel," Gunther said. "I am also excited to play for such a competitive program."
K'LENE GUTIERREZ
Utility - Buena Park, California - Rosary Academy
"'K'lene is a 5-11, physical, power-hitting kid that we are super excited about," Hays said. "We expect her to contribute with doubles and home runs, but also appreciate her versatility to play multiple positions in the infield. She has great hands and great feet, and really reminds me of Jada Cooper when she was coming in."
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Gutierrez has started and excelled through her first three seasons at Rosary Academy, hitting .526 with a .573 on-base percentage, 141 hits and 129 RBI through 88 games. She plays for Athletics Mercado Hoverdale, which is coached by her father. Her sister played softball at St. John's from 2014-2018.
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"I chose GCU because the coaching staff and team was very welcoming and made it feel like home," Gutierrez said. "I really could not find anything wrong with the school, which made it feel like it was the right place for me."
ANYA INZAURO
Utility - Buckeye, Arizona - Canyon View High School
"Anya is a player that we have been able to watch for many years now," Hays said. "She is a talented catcher that can play in the infield as well that was heavily recruited. I believe we have been able to have great catching over the past few years and I see Anya continuing that legacy in the future."
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Inzauro, who is from nearby Buckeye, attended the same high school as GCU star Savannah Kirk and played multiple years of travel ball with freshman corner infielder Alexa Yarger. Inzauro is a three-time all-region player in her first three high school seasons, hitting .400 with nine home runs as a junior. She also played one season of Canyon View volleyball.
"I chose GCU because I wanted a place to enjoy my time on and off the field, surrounded by people that were going to make me better," Inzauro said. "Though I haven't even graduated yet, I have already built such a good relationship with my future teamates and coaches. It really does feel like one big family."
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Lopes sixth-year head coach Shanon Hays brings in his next star-studded class, building on his previous success with his signing classes, development and postseason accomplishments at GCU. In five years of leading Grand Canyon, Hays has won five conference tournament titles and six NCAA Tournament games, including reaching a second regional final last season at Nebraska.
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"We were able to be picky and specific with the girls we signed to this class," Hays said. "We did not need to fill many spots with players receiving a fifth year of eligibility and such large previous classes, so it really is a testament to these three that they impress us as much as they do and show us a continued bright future for our program."
The group includes three position players: a corner infielder, a middle infielder and a catcher.
EMERSON GUNTHER
Infielder - Laurel, Montana - Laurel High School
"
Emerson has huge upside that continues to develop each year," Hays said. "We think she will be an important piece in the middle infield for us in the future, and I see her as a Katelyn Dunckel-type player that has great defensive skills, and home run and doubles pop at the plate."Â
Gunther is a four-time all-state player in Montana, putting together a historic sophomore season when she hit .744 with 21 home runs, 72 RBI and 64 hits. She is also an all-state basketball player.
"I chose GCU because of its family feel," Gunther said. "I am also excited to play for such a competitive program."
K'LENE GUTIERREZ
Utility - Buena Park, California - Rosary Academy
"'K'lene is a 5-11, physical, power-hitting kid that we are super excited about," Hays said. "We expect her to contribute with doubles and home runs, but also appreciate her versatility to play multiple positions in the infield. She has great hands and great feet, and really reminds me of Jada Cooper when she was coming in."Â
Gutierrez has started and excelled through her first three seasons at Rosary Academy, hitting .526 with a .573 on-base percentage, 141 hits and 129 RBI through 88 games. She plays for Athletics Mercado Hoverdale, which is coached by her father. Her sister played softball at St. John's from 2014-2018.
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"I chose GCU because the coaching staff and team was very welcoming and made it feel like home," Gutierrez said. "I really could not find anything wrong with the school, which made it feel like it was the right place for me."
ANYA INZAURO
Utility - Buckeye, Arizona - Canyon View High School
"Anya is a player that we have been able to watch for many years now," Hays said. "She is a talented catcher that can play in the infield as well that was heavily recruited. I believe we have been able to have great catching over the past few years and I see Anya continuing that legacy in the future."Â
Inzauro, who is from nearby Buckeye, attended the same high school as GCU star Savannah Kirk and played multiple years of travel ball with freshman corner infielder Alexa Yarger. Inzauro is a three-time all-region player in her first three high school seasons, hitting .400 with nine home runs as a junior. She also played one season of Canyon View volleyball.
"I chose GCU because I wanted a place to enjoy my time on and off the field, surrounded by people that were going to make me better," Inzauro said. "Though I haven't even graduated yet, I have already built such a good relationship with my future teamates and coaches. It really does feel like one big family."
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Players Mentioned
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