Instant Classic: Top-Seeded Grand Canyon Softball Outlasts Upset-Minded New Mexico, 7-6

Vickers gave up an RBI sac fly to Melanie Macias, giving New Mexico their second run of the inning. The Lope starter then proceeded to record the final out of the inning, but not before completing the collapse that gave the underdog Lobos a stunning lead entering the bottom of the sixth. Now facing far more pressure than she had been previously, Benningfield gave up two walks and a single to Jada Cooper to lead off the bottom of the sixth, loading the bases before giving up a game-tying sac fly to Emily Gonzalez. Benningfield stranded the rest of the batters after that, entering the top of the seventh knotted up at two.

Vickers got the nod for the top of the seventh, immediately recording back-to-back strikeouts. Vasquez-Dickson extended the inning by getting on with a Jada Cooper error, then Briones did the same with Vickers’ second walk of the game. That brought out Hays again, who pulled Vickers for the second time, inserting former Lobo Natalie Fritz in an attempt to record the final out of the frame. Fritz’ first pitch hit Allie Williams, loading the bases for Jessica Deleon. Deleon crushed the 2-2 pitch to left field for a grand slam, giving the Lobos a 6-2 lead entering the final frame.

The Lopes loaded the bases, bringing two runs across on a redemptive single by Cooper, but an incredible decision by Hayden Luderer to throw to the trail runner at third gave the Lobos a crucial second out. The Lopes got the tying run into scoring position on a Trinity Martin double, then miraculously tied the game on an Emily Gonzalez double that was a little over two inches away from being a foul ball. Addison Shifflett then came up to bat, walking off the Lobos with an RBI double that secured a miraculous, come-from-behind win for the top-seeded Lopes.

Martin and Cooper each recorded two hits, with Gonzalez holding the scoring lead with three RBIs. Vickers pitched 6.1 innings, allowing three hits with a combined 10 strikeouts. The Lopes did not have much production at the plate outside of the seventh inning, but for a dominant squad like this, that’s all that was really needed to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

GCU will advance to face the winner of the Nevada/UNLV game tomorrow, May 8, at 12:00 p.m. PST. The winner of that matchup will advance to the tournament championship on Saturday, where they will only need to win one of two games to take home the MW tournament title.