Bruins’ six Ks not enough to down Utes
Jill Bruins had a career day for the Aggie softball team Wednesday, but it wasn’t enough to knock off in-state rival Utah.
The Utes edged the Aggies 1-0 at Ute Field despite Bruins’ career-high six strikeouts. Bruins also only gave up two hits.
The Aggies even out-hit their counterparts 5-2.
The Utes’ two hits came on consecutive infield hits in the sixth, followed by a sacrifice bunt and intentional walk, then a sacrifice fly to center to score their only run.
The loss broke apart a three-game winning streak the Aggies had going into the contest. It was also the third consecutive defeat to the lady Utes.
Before Wednesday, Bruins had collected only six strikeouts in her previous 10 appearances this year for the Aggies. Total she had only 19 Ks in 34 appearances before this year’s campaign.
USU started the game with a force.
Third baseman Amy Schiable singled to center as the Aggies’ leadoff hitter. She advanced to third, but was left stranded.
The Utes were forced into pop-ups in their half of the first inning by Bruins. All of them were caught by USU shortstop Tara Evans.
In the Utes’ following opportunity at the plate, Bruins struck out the side, each on called strikes. In the third Bruins did the same thing, the only difference being the Utes swung and missed.
Opportunity knocked in the fourth inning for the Aggies. First baseman Aubrie Stroman recorded a one-out single. Stroman’s pinch-runner, Emily Reilly, was advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt, and then stole third. Unfortunately for the Aggies, the rally ended with a ground out.
Freshman second baseman Nicole Rupp launched the ball deep to Ute left fielder Meghan Crouse, who had to collide with the fence to secure the out.
Back-to-back bunts in the sixth shattered Bruins’ no-hitter. Two batters later, Ute hitter Hailey Davenport (the team’s leader in home runs) was intentionally walked to load the bases.
A sacrifice-fly by the next Ute hitter brought the game’s winning run into home.
Evans recorded a single to left center in the top of the seventh with one out, but the Utes put a quick end to the Aggies potential run, striking out USU’s Jami Uragami, and throwing out Evans as she tried to steal second.
In 15 tries this season at stealing, Evans has only been caught twice.
Today the Aggies will have their final home game of the season against Hawaii at 3 p.m.
They will also play a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m. against Hawaii. It will also be Senior Day.
-sbhislop@cc.usu.edu