Back in the stadium at last. Three years later.

Grand Canyon University Club Softball reveled in a home-field advantage as they took on Northern Arizona University for a triple-header at GCU's Softball Stadium on Saturday, Mar. 26. The Lopes stepped foot in the stadium again after three long years and dropped the first two games to the Lumberjacks before salvaging the day with a win in the final game.

Game 1: NAU 13, GCU 4
"The whole team was super pumped to finally be playing in the stadium again," said Lopes' senior captain Ashley Fuller. "We were especially excited to be playing there against a top-ranked team like NAU."

Despite the Lopes' enthusiasm for the series, the first game brought a rude awakening. The Lumberjacks proved their first-place National Club Softball Association ranking and controlled the game from the field and at the plate for a dominant win.

Game 2: NAU 14, GCU 3
GCU was unable to force a different outcome in the second game. NAU found a stride once again and managed to score one more run on the Lopes than in the first showing for a 14-3 final score.

Game 3: GCU 8, NAU 4
After two back-to-back losses, GCU finally found some push back.

"We really dug deep in the third game," said Fuller. "I think we had more heart than NAU. We were determined to win a game in the stadium."

It was Fuller that lead the squad from the pitcher's mound for the entire third game. The Lopes' 8-4 lead by the end of the 6^th inning was enough to force the mercy rule and secure an early GCU victory with no need to play out the 7^th final inning.

Want to stay up to date on GCU Club Softball's standings in the NCSA? Check out the full spring schedule on the team website here!