Purple Classic Day 2 sweep puts Lopes at 13-1

Saturday, February 25

Phoenix, Ariz.

4 p.m.

Grand Canyon

12-1

Montana

0-14

Montana

Grand Canyon

2/26/2023 12:27:00 AM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

GCU manages 7-3 win over Montana, score 12 unanswered runs on South Dakota

By: Adrianna Candelaria

The Grand Canyon softball team triumphed on its home turf again Saturday with Purple Classic wins over Montana and South Dakota at GCU Softball Stadium.

GCU manages 7-3 win over Montana

The Lopes started Saturday by grabbing their 12th victory of the season against Montana, recording seven runs on nine hits.

Senior center fielder Hannah Burnett led the Lopes in runs (three), while senior right fielder Kristin Fifield led the team in RBIs (three). Sophomore pitcher Megan Golden struck out 11 batters through four innings, only allowing two hits and one run.

In the first inning, Burnett started GCU's first scoring off with a double to left field and was batted in by Fifield's single to right field for a 1-0 lead. Fifield then stole second and was sent home when senior first baseman Ramsay Lopez singled to left center.

Golden dominated the top of the second with three strikeouts on four batters, but it was a game of defense until the Lopes returned to the plate in the bottom of the fourth.

With consecutive sacrifice flies by junior shortstop Katelyn Dunckel and senior third baseman Madison Schaefer, GCU advanced freshman pinch hitter Brynn-Jordan Smythe and senior second baseman Macee Barnes home. Lopez singled to left field, bringing Burnett across the plate to put the Lopes ahead 5-0.

Giving up a single run in the top of the fifth, the Lopes answered with two additional runs, stemming from Burnett and Fifield RBIs. Burnett doubled with two outs to extend the inning as part of her 3-for-4 game.

The Grizzlies managed to hit a two-run home run in the top of sixth, but the Lopes held strong and maintained their lead with freshman pitcher Taryn Batteron throwing a perfect seventh inning.

Late scoring wins nightcap

Leaving the first two innings scoreless, GCU struck first in the third inning with two runs but was quickly overshadowed by a South Dakota six-run fourth. GCU battled back with 12 unanswered runs in their last two at-bat innings to clinch the home win and move to 13-1.

The Lopes strung together 14 runs, led by Fifield knocking in four RBIs and Dunckel adding three RBIs with Burnett scoring three times in GCU's 11-hit game.

With a 6-2 lead in the top of fifth, the Coyotes defense had no idea they were about to face 12 hitters in the long bottom half of the inning. Burnett gave the Lopes early momentum, singling to second and stealing second base, before Dunckel sent a home run over the center field wall to cut the lead in half.

South Dakota walked Fifield and Schaefer before Lopez reached base on a fielding error, allowing Fifield to advance home and tighten the gap to 6-5.

GCU junior left fielder Kayla Rodgers loaded the bases with a single to third base, followed by single through the right side by junior designated player CC Wong for another GCU RBI and the tying run.

Reaching base on a fielder's choice, Barnes batted in freshman pinch runner Emma Rodrigues to give the Lopes a 7-6 lead.

Lopes junior pinch hitter Kaitlyn Brannstrom walked, once again loading the bases before Dunckel also walked to advance freshman Brynn-Jordan Smythe across the plate to go ahead 8-6.

In GCU's final attempt of the inning, Fifield cleared the bases with a double before being thrown out at third base, ending the Lopes' nine-run inning with an 11-6 lead.

The Lopes made quick work of the sixth inning, forcing three South Dakota fly outs, and returning to the plate with a mission. Walking on for a second time, Schaefer was able to steal second and come home on a Rodgers single to right center.

Smythe also walked and advanced to second when senior catcher Kinsey Koeltzow reached base on a fielder's choice. Koeltzow and Smythe improved their offensive positions, and were both sent home with a double to left field by senior second baseman Macee Barnes.

GCU will see South Dakota again on Sunday at noon (Phoenix time).