SAN DIEGO – The San Diego softball program (19-24-1, 4-2 WCC) built an early lead, but were unable to hang on and ultimately fell, 9-5, to Grand Canyon (38-10, 12-6 WAC) on Wednesday night at the USD Softball Complex.  
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Toreros started quickly on the offensive end, despite an early Grand Canyon run in the second inning.
• The third inning provided a huge breakthrough for the Toreros, who opened it in the same way as the first inning, with Izzy Owen and Mikalyn Emanuelli singles.
• Alexia Torculas drove in the game-tying run with an RBI single off the pitcher, before promptly stealing second base.
• Emma Giaime kept the line moving with a two RBI single up the middle to give San Diego a 3-1 lead.
• The Toreros kept the threat going, despite Grand Canyon pulling their pitcher, as a KJ Hopfer walk helped load the bases.
• Clareese Santiago kept it going with a single to the pitcher that ultimately scored two more runs to make it 5-1.
• Meanwhile, Kelsey Tadlock polished off a strong start in the circle with four innings of one-hit softball, striking out three Lopes.
• However, the Lopes were able to make San Diego pay for a pair of errors, ultimately striking for six runs in the fifth inning.
• The Toreros nearly delivered a response in the bottom of the fifth, as Amanda Limon tripled, but was left stranded at third base.
• San Diego had one more chance in the seventh inning, as they got singles from Joecellia Roberts and Limon, but could not complete the comeback.

 
TORERO TIDBITS

• Five different Toreros reached base at least twice in the game.
• The San Diego offense continues to surge, as the Toreros are hitting .346 and averaging 5.2 runs per game over their last five games.
• Limon continues to surge as well, hitting .615 with a double, triple and two RBI over her last five games.

 
UP NEXT
The Toreros are set for a key WCC road trip, traveling to Provo, Utah for three games against BYU on Friday and Saturday. The games will be streamed via BYUtv.