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Softball:Grand Canyon Kickoff Classic

alabamagrizzly

Well-known member
This weekend is the opening of the softball season. Montana will be in Phoenix AZ where Grand Canyon University will host the Griz, #10/11 ranked Oregon, and Weber St, the preseason favorites to win the Big Sky....again.

Montana Schedule:
Fri Feb 12th 12:30p v #10/11 Oregon
Fri Feb 12th 5:30p @ Grand Canyon
Sat Feb 13th 11:00a v Weber St
Sat Feb 13th 4:00p @ Grand Canyon
Sun Feb 14th 9:00a v #10/11 Oregon

These are all very intriguing matchups in their own way. Obviously the Oregon games are huge deals. We’ve played them four times and have yet to score a single run against them. This time will be the lowest ranking they’ve had against us, coming in at #5 for every other matchup, two in ‘17 in Hawaii and two in ‘18 at Oregon. Three of those we lost 0-6 or 0-7, going the distance every game. The 1st matchup up though was nearly historic with the Griz and Colleen Driscoll losing a 0-1 decision on a cold windy day in Hawaii. If the Griz could pull one of these off, it’d be a huge boost for our season and school, with our current highest ranked victory coming against #23 Arkansas last year in Arkansas.

Grand Canyon is an equal competitor to us in the west on the national stage. They started their program right after us and have had relatively decent success, much like us. We’ve played six games, all in Phoenix, splitting the series 3-3 but with us taking the last two games, both last year. GCU might want a little pay back but these are huge games for us to stay ahead of the competition on the national level.

Weber St, ever heard of em? Although this is a regular season matchup, it might have a bit of a preseason feel for us and them due to the fact that they’re a con opponent and we’ll see them again for a VERY important matchup the last week of the regular season in Missoula, which will likely be deciding the regular season champs, and the BSC tourney hosters for next season. Weber holds an 8-12 edge in the series but we had the last laugh, beating them in our only matchup last year at a neutral site.

Anyone else ready for some softball? Go Griz!!
 
Up and down day one. All in all, a good day though. Won the game we needed to win and lost the game we weren’t supposed to win.

Game 1 was a beat down by Oregon who might be a final four team by the end of the year. Achenbach got rocked for 8 runs, 7 earned by in 2.2 innings and the Griz were no hit with the game called after five with the 8 run mercy rule. Oregon will be a juggernaut this year. Last year they were the only team in the nation to finish in the top 15 in BA, ERA, and fielding percentage. They returned their top 7 batters and all their pitchers from last years team and are looking very motivated to prove they belong at the World Series this year. We’ll get another shot at them sun morning and should be a little more ready for them.

The night cap vs the hosts, GCU had a better outcome despite a very shaky defensive effort. Fr Allie Brock got the start and was credited with allowing 4 runs through 3.1 innings despite non of them being earned. Three huge errors allowed GCU to chase Brock off the rubber despite a somewhat decent first career start, leaving tied 4-4 with two runners on. Some clutch pitching changes in very tricky situations though we’re huge. Ashley Ward stepped in allowed one more base runner and then got the final 2 outs to hold GCU. Cami Sellers, Meagan McGrath, and Kendal Curtis were huge at the 2-3-4 spots though giving us a 4 spot in the 3rd and then loading the bases in the 5th where Coach again made the right call, PHing backup catcher Sr Jessica McAlister for Tjaden. McAlister Then rewarded Coach with a grand slam that would be all the Griz needed. It certainly wasn’t without anxiety though. Once again GCU loaded the bases on Ward and Coach had to call on Achenbach who stepped in to once again thwart the threat. In total GCU stranded 16 base runners while the Griz capitalized on their opportunities.

The Griz play GCU again tomorrow after a game against Weber who lost to GCU 2-8 and Oregon 0-9.

Go Griz!
 
The video feed provided by GCU was pretty impressive, both in high-def clarity and for the multiple cameras. Maybe UM could take some tips for their streaming (although admittedly UM does better than most of the rest of the BSC sports on Pluto, in comparison).

I also like the look of GCU's stands; how they extend over the ends of the dugouts. Would be a nice blueprint to follow if/when the softball stadium sees an expansion.

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As for the win against GCU, the bats looked pretty impressive after having the no-hitter against Oregon. I'm still worried about pitching depth after Tristin. Ward seems to have improved from last year, though. It's only the first day but Brock looked very much like a true freshman in her first DI game. Just a pretty big difference in her accuracy and velocity in comparison to the other pitchers.
 
DoubleNicks said:
As for the win against GCU, the bats looked pretty impressive after having the no-hitter against Oregon. I'm still worried about pitching depth after Tristin. Ward seems to have improved from last year, though. It's only the first day but Brock looked very much like a true freshman in her first DI game. Just a pretty big difference in her accuracy and velocity in comparison to the other pitchers.

I have no worries on Brock. She’s the real deal and might be the most established freshman pitcher we’ve had here. She’s gonna settle in and quickly give us one of the best 1-2’s in the league. As for the broadcast, it’s about time they upgraded with all the money that school got. Up in tell this year, they had a single camera view behind home plate and last year was their first year with an announcer. I’ve thought Montana’s broadcasts have been pretty decent for atleast three years now with multiple camera angles and good commentating, especially when they bring in knowledgeable past athletes to join. Riley is very good about being balanced on both sides, something GCU’s commentator was really struggling with tell McAlisters grand slam.

Also, thanks for reading the “other sports” threads😊.
 
https://gogriz.com/news/2021/2/13/softball-griz-drop-two-in-phoenix.aspx

Not much else to say about sat. Atleast on sun we scored our 1st run against Oregon in six try’s. Lost 9-1. Hopefully next weekend will be better in Utah.
 
Some interesting stats from this weekend.

A team batting average of .304 with four starters above .300 and Cami Sellers leading the way at .600.

Five homers on the weekend vs one stolen base, off one attempt.

10 errors including four by SS Meagan McGrath. 3B Kylie Becker was stout with zero errors on 14 chances(12 assists and two put outs).

Fr pitcher Allie Brock led all pitchers in ERA with 5.79. The team era was 9.59 and Sr leader Tristan Achenbach’s was an absurd 14.28.

Brock also led the team in innings pitched with 9.1 and strikeouts with 9.
 
alabamagrizzly said:
Some interesting stats from this weekend.

A team batting average of .304 with four starters above .300 and Cami Sellers leading the way at .600.

Five homers on the weekend vs one stolen base, off one attempt.

10 errors including four by SS Meagan McGrath. 3B Kylie Becker was stout with zero errors on 14 chances(12 assists and two put outs).

Fr pitcher Allie Brock led all pitchers in ERA with 5.79. The team era was 9.59 and Sr leader Tristan Achenbach’s was an absurd 14.28.

Brock also led the team in innings pitched with 9.1 and strikeouts with 9.

So glad Sellers decided to stick around for this season. Such a stud!
 
HookedonGriz said:
alabamagrizzly said:
Some interesting stats from this weekend.

A team batting average of .304 with four starters above .300 and Cami Sellers leading the way at .600.

Five homers on the weekend vs one stolen base, off one attempt.

10 errors including four by SS Meagan McGrath. 3B Kylie Becker was stout with zero errors on 14 chances(12 assists and two put outs).

Fr pitcher Allie Brock led all pitchers in ERA with 5.79. The team era was 9.59 and Sr leader Tristan Achenbach’s was an absurd 14.28.

Brock also led the team in innings pitched with 9.1 and strikeouts with 9.

So glad Sellers decided to stick around for this season. Such a stud!

For sure. She’s got one more extra year if she wants it. This is her true Sr year. We’re really missing Michaela Hood this year. Achenbach seems to be off and the rest of the staff is so young. Hoping they can pull one out vs Utah St right now. Down 5-4 and in the bot of the 4th.
 
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