GCU Defends Crown, Captures 2023 University Credit Union WAC Softball Tournament Championship
GCU Defends Crown, Captures 2023 University Credit Union WAC Softball Tournament Championship
Box Score
PHOENIX, Ariz. – The host team came out firing early and often on Saturday, and in the end No. 2 seed Grand Canyon defended its title with a 10-2 win in five innings over No. 4 seed Seattle U in the championship game of the 2023 University Credit Union WAC Softball Tournament at GCU Softball Stadium. The Lopes captured their second WAC Tournament team trophy after competing in the championship game for the third time since 2018.
GCU joined Utah (1991-92), NM State (2017-18) and Seattle U (2019, 2021) as WAC softball teams to repeat as the conference tournament champion. Saturday’s win in five innings was the first WAC final to end via run-rule since NM State’s 10-0 win in six innings against Seattle U in 2017.
Kayla Rodgers from GCU earned Most Outstanding Player honors after batting .778 with a home run, two RBI and five runs scored during the championship. Rodgers made a key fence rob in the top of the third inning of Saturday's game to erase a three-run go-ahead Seattle U home run, then blasted off for a two-run shot of her own in the bottom of the third to lift the Lopes lead to 5-1. GCU’s Kristin Fifield finished as the tournament RBI leader (8) thanks to a 2-for-3 performance with a home run and four runs batted in during the title game.
Joining Rodgers and Fifield on the all-tournament team from GCU was Hannah Burnett, Katelyn Dunckel and Ariel Thompson. Seattle U was represented by Lily Garcia, Stefanie Madrigal and Sydney Frankenberger. Stephen F. Austin’s Gaby Garcia and Mallory Webb and UT Arlington’s Reagan Hukill were also all-tournament team honorees.
2023 University Credit Union WAC Softball Tournament All-Tournament Team
Kayla Rodgers, Grand Canyon (Most Outstanding Player)
Hannah Burnett, Grand Canyon
Katelyn Dunckel, Grand Canyon
Kristin Fifield, Grand Canyon
Ariel Thompson, Grand Canyon
Sydney Frankenberger, Seattle U
Lily Garcia, Seattle U
Stefanie Madrigal, Seattle U
Gaby Garcia, Stephen F. Austin
Mallory Webb, Stephen F. Austin
Reagan Hukill, UT Arlington
--WAC--