2025 WAC SB NCAA Regional Release

GRAND CANYON WINS FOURTH STRAIGHT WAC SOFTBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Grand Canyon has been the unstoppable force in the Western Athletic Conference all season long, and last week was no different as the Lopes won all three of their games in the 2025 University Credit Union WAC Softball Tournament capped off with the 4-3 11-inning victory over Tarleton State in the championship game to claim their fourth consecutive conference championship title. The Lopes’ 23rd straight win makes Grand Canyon only the second program to have four WAC softball tournament championships.
 
GONZALEZ CALLS GAME
GCU’s Emily Gonzalez captured the game-winning hit with a monster home run to dead center in the top of the 11th inning of the WAC championship game to break the 3-3 tie that stood for the previous seven innings. Gonzalez was named the Most Outstanding Player of the tournament after a 3-for-9 week with three RBI, two runs scored, a homer, a double and three walks drawn.
 
LOPES ARE DANCING IN THE DESERT
Grand Canyon is making its fourth consecutive NCAA regional appearance, but for the first time will not be heading to Los Angeles (UCLA). The Lopes were placed in the Tucson Regional hosted by No. 13 Arizona where they will play their first game against Ole Miss (37-17) on Friday, May 16 at 7 p.m. MST at the Hillenbrand Memorial Stadium. Santa Clara will be the fourth team to compete in the Tucson Regional. The Lopes are looking for redemption against Arizona after taking a 7-3 (8 inn.) loss in their game with the Wildcats on Mar. 19 earlier this season.
 
2025 WAC ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM HONOREES
Joining Gonzalez on the all-tournament team from GCU were Makaiya Gomez, Savannah Kirk and Maggie Place. Tarleton State was represented by Kalyn Hill, Austin Germain, Shelby Schultz and Hannah Blincoe. California Baptist’s Kalena Burns, Seattle U’s Taylor Fitch and Utah Valley’s Payge Armendariz were also 2025 WAC All-Tournament Team honorees.
 
GCU’S KIRK NAMED 2025 WAC PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kirk batted in the leadoff spot for Grand Canyon in all 49 regular season games this season as she finished the campaign top-five in the nation in batting average (.506), hits (85), and stolen bases (43). Kirk was the only player in the country to not get caught stealing this season as she was perfect on the basepaths at 43-for-43, 21 more steals than the next highest bag stealer in the WAC. Kirk also led the WAC in on-base percentage (.554) and runs scored (48).