Utah State Softball team beats CSU with last inning, walk-off home run
With the game tied 1-1 against Colorado State in the top of the seventh inning, Utah State’s Amanda Carver considered laying down a bunt.
She was leading off the inning and thought if she could play some small ball, just try to get on base, her teammates could take care of the rest.
But USU head coach Lonny Sargent told Carver to get a hit – to swing away – and she didn’t disappoint.
Carver connected for her first home run of the year, a walk-off shot to give the Aggies their second win in two days.
“Everything’s just finely coming together,” Carver said. “We’re starting to play like the team we are.”
Behind the pitching of Erica Hancock, the Aggies beat the Rams 2-1 and improved to 12-23 on the year. Hancock gave up 12 hits and the Ags only managed four, but Sargent said it’s quality not quantity.
“All we’ve got to do is get the timely hits,” he said. “For us to have four hits and two runs, that’s timely enough.”
USU’s other run came on a solo shot from designated hitter Heather Haak in the second inning.
After beating the Rams Thursday and handling Utah 6-0 Wednesday, Sargent said his team is finally feeling confident about their ability to play and compete at a high level.
“We knew our kids could hit,” he said. “That’s all we did in the fall – hit, hit, hit. We just needed to get that confidence in them and I think they’re starting to believe it.”
Finding herself in a bases-loaded jam three times Thursday, Hancock said the team’s defense was responsible for only allowing one earned run in five innings.
“I always get a grounder,” she said. “I know that my team is there to back me up. I don’t think about striking anyone out. I just think get a grounder … [The defense] played great behind me.”
The Aggies now prepare for a three-game homestand against Cal State Riverside this weekend.
Sargent said the team’s recent success will give the players confidence and momentum going into the weekend.
“It’s crucial for us,” he said. “It gives our kids a lot of spark going into Riverside this weekend. It’s a huge momentum twist for us.”
The first game of Saturday’s doubleheader starts at 1 p.m. With the second game scheduled to begin at 3:30 p.m. Sunday’s game starts at noon. Both games will be played at LaGrand Johnson Field.
-acf@cc.usu.edu
(Photo by John Zsiray)