Caudill Pitches Broncos Past Lopes

Sunday, February 11

Phoenix, Ariz.

11:30 a.m.

Boise State

4-1

Grand Canyon

4-1

Boise State

Grand Canyon

2/11/2024 3:00:00 PM | Softball

Box Score

PHOENIX – Taylor Caudill tossed a five-hitter and Boise State handed Grand Canyon a 3-1 loss, Sunday to wrap up the Kajikawa Classic.

Caudill (4-0) struck out six and walked one in her first start of the season. The Broncos (4-1) provided all of the run support in the fifth.

"This is a great start to our season," head coach Justin Shults said. "There were a ton of learning moments and the team never quit. We shined in times of adversity. What Taylor did this weekend is truly special. I am not sure when we will see a performance like that again."

Of the five hits the Lopes (4-1) recorded, one was an infield single, another a bunt single and a third was a sun double. The run in the third was the only baserunner who advanced beyond second base and Caudill set down 10 of the final 11 batters she faced.

Boise State trailed 1-0 when Ashlyn Whalen worked a walk to open the top of fifth. Leah McAnally reached on a fielder's choice and Whalen beat the throw to second.

Megan Lake hit a comebacker that was thrown away at third base allowing Whalen to score the tying run and put runners at second and third with zero outs.

Abby Bumcrot followed with a ground ball to third with pinch runner Keely Goushá going on contact. Goushá scored when the Grand Canyon catcher slipped on the bat at the plate. Lake caught Grand Canyon napping and raced home from third to put Boise State on top 3-1.

From there, Caudill was marvelous. She retired the Lopes in order in the fifth and sixth. With one out in the seventh, Lake lost a fly ball to left in the sun that fell for a double. Caudill responded by recording the final two outs, including a strikeout to end the game.

Top Broncos

Taylor Caudill recorded her first complete game of the season on a five-hitter with six strikeouts.
Sophia Knight collected two hits, her fourth-straight multi-hit game.

Notables

Taylor Caudill went 4-0 on the weekend with 23 strikeouts in 21 innings, a 0.33 ERA and a 0.33 WHIP.
Caudill retired 62 of 73 batters faced and only allowed four baserunners as far as second base.
All four wins by Boise State in the opening weekend were come-from-behind efforts.

What's Next
The Broncos begin and eight-day, 11-game road trip, Saturday in Arlington, Texas. Boise State will face Michigan State in the Maverick Invitational at 9 a.m. CT/8 a.m. MT.