GCU's explosive bats stun Stanford in 11-1 finish

Friday, March 10

Stanford, Calif.

2 p.m.

Grand Canyon

20-3

Cal Poly

13-6

Cal Poly

Grand Canyon

3/10/2017 8:53:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Imani Suber

STANFORD, Calif. -- The Grand Canyon softball program finished strong on opening day of the Stanford Easton Classic, defeating the Cardinal 11-1 in six innings. The Lopes suffered a 1-0 loss to Cal Poly in the their first game of the day.

A 7-run, 6-hit third inning put the game out of reach for Stanford, highlighted by a Kendsey Hill grand slam after three-straight hits loaded the bases for GCU.

Mariah Valencia had a strong outing in Game 1, pitching a complete game allowing just one run against Cal Poly. Taylor Nowlin also had a solid outing, allowing just five hits, with one earned run and four strikeouts in a complete game.

How it Happened

Game 1 | Cal Poly

In the opening game of the Stanford Easton Classic, the Lopes battled Cal Poly to the bitter end. But, gave up the game-winning run in the top of the sixth off an RBI double from the Mustangs.

In a pitching dual, both programs went five scoreless innings before the Mustangs took the 1-0 advantage in the sixth.

Mariah Valencia and GCU's defense played strong, stranding a total of eight Mustangs. Valencia allowed just one run and walked zero on the afternoon.

After facing some tough Cal Poly pitching, the Lopes finally connected with the ball as Laynee Gomez sent one out to left center. But, GCU couldn't convert. The Lopes went on to put up two more hits in the sixth and seventh, but couldn't find the spark they needed to surpass the Cal Poly lead. GCU suffered just its second loss on the road.

Game 2 | Stanford

GCU came out on fire in Game 2 with explosive offense that left Stanford stunned in the 11-1 finish. Camree Wartman led the way hitting 2-for-3 with a home run and an RBI. Shea Smith finished with a 2-for-4 outing at the plate, clearing the bases in the sixth with a two-RBI double. During the 7-run, 6-hit third inning Hill blasted out a grand slam after three-straight hits loaded the bases for GCU.

While the Lopes trailed early on in the second, GCU's offense lit Stanford up in the top of the third. The Lopes quickly answered with a Bianca Boling lead off double to immediately threaten for GCU. Taylor Kaye followed laying down a perfect bunt for the sacrifice moving Boling over. Nikki Gonzalez took advantage sending a rocket through the middle to tie the game up at 1-1.

GCU would put on a show throughout the rest of the inning as the Lopes put together three consecutive hits to load the bases leaving room for Hill to hit a bomb over the left field fence for the grand slam putting GCU up 7-1 to close out the frame.

Nowlin and the defense were hard at work in the fifth stranding two Cardinal batters after Stanford put a pair of hits on the board.

In the top of the sixth, GCU never relented, extending its lead to 8-1 off a Wartman leadoff home run over the right center fence. Megan Stevens followed with a pinch-hit RBI double down the left field line to add one more to the pile. But, Shea Smith took no prisoners sending a bullet to right center clearing the bases for a 2 RBI double to leave the run total at 11-1 closing out the top of the sixth, icing the game for the Lopes.

The Lopes defense did what it had to do to close out the game, taking out the Cardinal offense and sealing the win.

Lopes Quotes
Head Coach Ann Pierson

Game 1
"Mariah (Valencia) just continues to pound the zone and just get outs. I was so please with her sticking with the game plan, she just looked confident out there. She fielded her position well and she allowed our defense to work. We ran into a really good Cal Poly team. (Sierra) Hyland is very good and we knew that going in. She pitched the way we expected her to pitch. The frustration that we felt was not staying with our approach at the plate and making small adjustments."

Game 2
"After talking about the changes we needed to make, I was really pleased with their attack. We were able to put the ball on the ground, use our speed and put pressure on their defense with bunts and slaps. Bianca (Boling) comes up with a big hit, big double to start the inning and then it just went on and on from there. Of course, Kendsey's (Hill) grand slam. But, in order to have seven runs you have to have a lot of people on base and we had everybody chipping in. Overall really great team effort and great way to bounce back after the first game."

Up Next
The Lopes are back in action tomorrow as they face Cal Poly at 3 p.m. MST. GCU will finish the day against Lehigh at 7:30.