PHOENIX—South Dakota fell to 2-2 at the Lopes Up Classic hosted by Grand Canyon University Saturday. The Coyotes dropped an 8-5 decision to Utah State in a rematch from Friday and lost to the host school 14-6 in the nightcap.
South Dakota catcher
Bela Goerke began Saturday like she did Friday – with a home run against Utah State in her first at bat. Saturday's was a two-run shot that gave the Coyotes a 2-0 lead. Goerke was 2-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored against the Aggies. She totaled three hits on the day.
South Dakota's defense couldn't avoid the big inning Saturday. Coyote pitcher
Clara Edwards was cruising until Utah State erupted for five runs in the top of the fifth inning to take a 6-2 lead. South Dakota closed within a run at 6-5 in the bottom of the sixth, but the Aggies tacked on two insurance runs in the top of the seventh.
Grand Canyon's only loss this season came in a 5-4 decision to Oregon State. The Lopes were 12-1 entering their game with South Dakota and had allowed more than one run four times.
The Coyotes, though, broke through for six runs in the top of the fourth inning of their second game to take a 6-2 lead.
Jordyn Pender laced a two-run single to start the rally and
Tatum Villotta capped it with a two-run homer over the wall in right field. It was the first collegiate over-the-fence home run for Villotta who had an inside-the-park grand slam as a freshman a year ago.
But Grand Canyon scored nine times in the fifth inning and walked it off with three in the sixth. Katelyn Dunckel hit a two-run homer and Kristin Fifield's three-run double were the crucial blows. Fifield was 2-for-3 with four RBIs for the Lopes.
South Dakota (5-7) concludes play in Arizona with a noon (MT) rematch with Grand Canyon.
