University of Washington
25-3
Grand Canyon
25-8
Huskies Open Arizona Road Trip With A Sweep Over Grand Canyon University
March 22, 2017 | Softball
PHOENIX, Ariz. – The No. 5 University of Washington Husky (26-3) softball program opened their Arizona road trip with two wins against Grand Canyon University (25-9) Wednesday afternoon. The Huskies defeat the Lopes 14-4 in five innings, followed by a 7-0 shutout.
Taylor Van Zee led the day going 6-for-8 and knocking in four runs.
In the first game, nine Huskies pounded out at least one hit. The team was led by Van Zee, with three hits and two runs, along with Kirstyn Thomas, who contribued two hits and three runs.
Taran Alvelo (15-1) started in the circle in game one and struck out six, allowing only two earned runs and one walk.
Madi Schreyer (5-2) tossed her second straight complete-game shutout for the Huskies in their second game, holding the Lopes to no runs on five hits in the seven innings.
In the opener, Ali Aguilar got things started in the first inning with a lead-off single. She scored a fielding error to snag an early 1-0 lead.
Grand Canyon stole the lead in the second inning after two RBI singles put them up, 2-0.
The Lopes' lead did not last long as the third inning brought in seven runs off six hits for the Huskies, all with two outs in the inning. Van Zee got things started with a single and advanced to third after a double from Julia DePonte. Bates followed with a sacrifice fly to centerfield, sending hom Van Zee. After DePonte advanced to second on an error. Trysten Melhart, Kelly Burdick and Thomas hit three RBI singles in a row, followed by Aguilar reaching first on an error on GCU's shortstop, allowing Burdick to cross home. Van Zee stepped up to the plate for the second time in the inning and hit an RBI single that brought in Aguilar.
After batting around in the third, the Huskies ended the inning ahead, 8-0.
The Huskies tacked on one more run in the fourth inning off an RBI double from Thomas that played Flores, who was previously walked.
Once again, Grand Canyon attempted to stop the damage after scoring two runs in the bottom of the fourth. An RBI single and a sacrifice fly brought in two runs, but they weren't enough to catch the Huskies.
In the final frame of the first game, Washington scored five more runs off three hits. Burdick was issued a walk and advanced to second on a passed ball. Van Zee reached on a fielder's choice and pushed Burdick to third. Rachel Ogasawara and Sis Bates singled and each brought in one run apiece. Flores doubled to bring in Ogasawara and Thomas flied out finalize their 14-4 win.
Van Zee once again led the Husky offense in the second game, going 3-for-4 and collecting two RBIs.
Burdick knocked the first hit of the second game in the third inning and stole second while Van Zee was at the plate. Van Zee knocked an RBI double to get the Huskies on the board, 1-0. After Stangel was issued a walk, Bates doubled to right field, pushing Van Zee home and Stangel to third. Thomas rounded out the inning with a two-run single bringing Bates and Stangel home. The Huskies finished the inning ahead, 4-0.
In the fifth inning, Melhart singled with a bunt and advanced to third off an Aguilar single. Van Zee plated Melhart with a single. Stangel followed with another RBI single, allowing pinch runner Maggie Gallagher to cross home plate. A single from Flores brought Van Zee in to finalize their lead to 7-0.
The Huskies continue their desert road trip when they face No. 4/5 Arizona Friday, March 24 through Sunday, March 26. The teams will kick off their series at 5 p.m. Friday, followed by two 12 p.m. games on Saturday and Sunday. The conference series will air live on the Pac-12 Network.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Alvelo, Taran (15-1)
L: Aguilar,B (7-3)
Batting:
2B: DePonte, Julia 1 ; Flores, Morganne 1 ; Thomas, Kirstyn 2
RBI: Van Zee, Taylor 1 ; Ogasawara, Rachel 1 ; Bates, Sis 2 ; Flores, Morganne 2 ; Thomas, Kirstyn 3 ; Melhart, Trysten 1 ; Burdick, Kelly 1
SF: Bates, Sis 1 ; Thomas, Kirstyn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Aguilar, Ali 2 ; Van Zee, Taylor 2 ; Milloy, Amirah 1 ; DePonte, Julia 1 ; Ogasawara, Rachel 1 ; Bates, Sis 1 ; Flores, Morganne 2 ; Thomas, Kirstyn 1 ; Melhart, Trysten 1 ; Burdick, Kelly 2
SB: Melhart, Trysten 2
HBP: Aguilar, Ali 1
Batting:
RBI: Gonzalez,D 1 ; Smith,Sh 1 ; Smith,Si 1 ; Hill,K 1
SF: Gonzalez,D 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Wartman,C 1 ; Gomez,L 1 ; Kaye,T 1 ; Hill,K 1
HBP: Gomez,L 1
