Grand Canyon University faces a crucial three-game series against Colorado State as they wrap up their regular season. Here’s what you need to know.
Key Points:
Title Hunt: Grand Canyon (GCU) is two games ahead of Nevada. To clinch the Mountain West (MW) Regular Season Title, they need either a series win against Colorado State or a combination of two losses from Nevada against UNLV.
Pitching Star: Taryn Batterton, a sophomore right-hander, earned Mountain West Pitcher of the Week honors. She achieved a 10-1 record this season, demonstrating her strong performance on the mound.
RPI Tracker: GCU recently ranked No. 30 in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), with their peak at No. 27 just a few weeks ago.
Speedy Player: Senior center fielder Sydney McCray leads the nation in stolen bases without being caught, boasting a perfect 33/33 record. She’s also enjoying a four-game streak with multiple hits.
Winning Streak: GCU has one of the top winning percentages and ranks among the nation’s leaders in total wins. They currently sit at No. 21 in the NFCA poll.
Looking at Colorado State:
- This matchup marks the sixth time these two teams have faced off, with GCU leading the all-time series 3-2. The last encounter in 2023 saw GCU victorious.
- Colorado State holds a 23-24 record (11-11 MW) and is currently vying for a spot in the MW Championship. They need at least one win or hope for a loss from San Diego State against Fresno State.
- As a team, Colorado State is hitting .279 and has a 4.11 Earned Run Average (ERA). Outfielder Lauren Stucky is a standout with 51 hits this season.
Recent Performance:
In their last series against UNLV, GCU secured two out of three games, earning a top-two seed for the MW Championship. They recorded a program-best 16th shutout in a dominant 10-0 victory in Game 2. Senior Emily Gonzalez contributed significantly during their Senior Day, driving in two runs.
Next Steps:
After facing Colorado State, GCU will head to Reno, Nevada, for the MW Championship, starting with quarterfinals on Thursday.
This series is pivotal for GCU as they aim for the conference title and likely a spot in the postseason.
For more about the Mountain West Championship and updates, visit the Mountain West Conference official page.
