Aggie softball notches first conference victory
It was a breakout day at the plate for freshman Kelly Leos and the Aggies.
In the final game of a three-game series at Sacramento State University, the Utah State softball team picked up its first Big West Conference victory Sunday behind 11 hits, four by first baseman Leos.
“[Leos] really busted out,” Aggie Head Coach Debbie Bilbao said. “For a freshman that happens. She should feel really good.”
After dropping Saturday’s doubleheader the Aggies came back Sunday for the 3-1 victory.
“I’m really pleased with our play,” Bilbao said. “We came far this weekend.”
The Aggies’ offense got on track in the first inning when Leos reached base on a double and then moved to third on a single by third baseman Stephanie Vasarhely.
Leos was thrown out at the plate on a fielder’s choice, but the Aggies were left with runners on the corners with two outs.
Catcher Breanne Smith then singled to drive in the Aggies’ first run.
The Aggie lead didn’t last long though as the Hornets struck back in the bottom half of the first.
With runners on first and second and no outs, an RBI single by Hornet first baseman Jillian Bivert tied the game, 1-1. The Hornets were able to load the bases with two outs, but the Aggies escaped the inning after a ground out.
The single run was all Aggie pitcher Kristen Hommel would allow though as she shut the Hornets down and allowed only two hits in the remaining six innings.
“Hommel pitched a great game,” Bilbao said. “To come back and be strong after pitching Saturday showed her composure.”
The score remained tied until the fifth inning when Leos got things started, again with a one-out double.
Shortstop Heather Curtis hit a double to drive Leos home and give the Aggies the lead for good.
In the seventh inning Leos added an insurance run for the Aggies, hitting a solo shot to left field. It was Leos’ first home run of season.
Hommel picked up the win for Utah State while allowing only four hits.
At the plate for the Aggies, Leos went 4 for 4, while Vasarhely and Curtis each went 2 for 4. Three players had one hit.
“In the previous games [Saturday] we were hitting; we just didn’t convert,” Bilbao said. “We had good offense in 2-of-3 games.”
Playing a complete game allowed the Aggies to win, Bilbao said.
“We did all three things,” Bilbao said. “We pitched well, we had great defense and we hit. We did all three together.”
The Aggie bats weren’t quite as productive Saturday though. In the opening game the Aggies struck first.
With Curtis on base, center fielder Casey Smith hit a sacrifice fly to push Curtis across the plate and put USU up, 1-0.
The Hornets came back and tied the game in the fifth though. After being walked by Hommel, Hornet shortstop Amy Hillel was able to advance to second on a wild pitch and then scored on an error by Curtis, tying the game, 1-1.
Lindsay Janssen replaced Hommel on the mound in the seventh and the score remained tied until the bottom of the 11th inning.
Hornet center fielder Cathy Coupar reached base and advanced to second on an error by USU second baseman Marcie Neff to lead off the inning. A walk and a single later, the bases were loaded. The Aggies did turn a double play, but there were still runners on the corners with two outs.
The next batter, left fielder Amber Dragomir, hit a bouncer to Curtis, but Curtis was unable to handle the ball, committing her third error of the game. Coupar scored the winning run on the play and the Hornets had the 2-1 victory.
Hommel and Janssen allowed 11 hits in the game, but Sacramento State left 13 runners on base. Janssen picked up the loss.
After pitching four and two-thirds innings in the first game, Janssen started in the second game.
She only lasted one and two-thirds innings though, giving up eight hits and allowing six runs. Hommel relieved Janssen and held the Hornets to only one hit the remainder of the game.
The Aggies, held to only three hits, were unable to score.
Sacramento State won the second game, 6-0. Sophomore pitcher Nicole Deatherage picked up both wins for the Hornets.
The Aggies are now 5-37 overall, 1-11 in conference. Sacramento State is 15-21 overall and 4-7 in conference.
Utah State will return to action Tuesday on LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field for a game against the University of Utah at 3 p.m.
“I’m hoping we can use the momentum [from Sacramento State], we’ve been playing good lately,” Bilbao said.
It will be the second time the Aggies have faced the Utes this season.
“Our approach will be the same,” Bilbao said. “We’ll know a bit about them but we need to go out and do the three things [hitting, pitching and defense].”