Three pitchers combine for a 3-0 shutout at Idaho State
Three pitchers combined for a two-hit shutout as the Utah State softball team defeated Idaho State, 3-0, Wednesday in Chubbuck, Idaho. The Aggies took on the rain and wind along with the Bengals as USU dealt with rain off and on all game.
The win was the first of the season against Idaho State as the Bengals defeated the Aggies in Logan on April 13 and in Tucson on March 5.
Utah State has now won two-straight games and three of their last four game. The Aggies improve to 10-35 overall, while the Bengals fall to 7-28 with the loss.
Freshman infielder Kassy Uchida started the first inning with a single to short left field. After a strikeout by senior catcher Shasta Tyteca, Freshman outfielder Krista Bava was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second with one out. Sophomore designated player Tina Ferguson moved both runners along a base with a sacrifice bunt, but starting pitcher Amanda Fitzsimmons was able to retire Allison Lenzora to end the inning.
The Aggies left two on in the top of the second as well on a single by senior outfielder Megan McDonald and a walk by junior infielder Tatem Day. Once again, Fitzsimmons was able to get out of the jam without as run crossing the plate.
Sophomore Mandy Harmon replaced Shelbi Tyteca in the circle in the top of the fourth inning. Tyteca allowed only one hit in her three innings of work, while striking out two.
Through the first five innings, Utah State left at least one runner on base each inning for a total of seven. Shasta Tyteca was left on base twice, with a hit in the third and a base hit in the fifth.
The Aggies broke through the cold and Fitzsimmmons to score one run in the top of the sixth inning. With two outs, senior outfielder Joreigh Landers reached on an infield single to start the rally. Junior infielder Ashley Ventura came up big with a double to deep left center that would score Landers from first base and give Utah State the 1-0 lead. After fighting the conditions and the pitching of Fitzsimmons, the Aggies were finally able to break through. Ventura leads the team with 17 RBI this season. She ended the game going 2-for-3 with one RBI.
Utah State added two more insurance runs in the top of the seventh inning to seal the win. With one out, freshman infielder Samantha Miller was hit by a pitch. Pinch hitter Lindsey Marquez then launched a home run to left field to give Utah State the 3-0 lead. The home run was the third of the season for Marquez.
Junior Dani Chaplin came in to close out the game in the bottom of the seventh inning. Chaplin plowed right through the Bengal line up to earn her first save of the season.
Harmon improves to 7-20 in the win, striking out four Bengals in her three innings of work.
Following the game with the Bengals, USU will host second-place Fresno State in a three-game Western Athletic Conference series, beginning with a doubleheader on Friday, April 22 at 1 p.m. The teams will conclude the series with a single game on Saturday, April 23 at 12 p.m. prior to the Aggie football team’s annual Spring Game at 2 p.m. at Merlin Olsen Field at Romney Stadium. Following the games this week, Utah State will host in-state rival Utah on Tuesday, April 26 at 3 p.m. The Aggies will then travel to Nevada for a three-game series with the Wolf Pack April 29-30.