Baseball community college sweeps series
The day ended in defeat and disappointment as the Utah State softball team came up against Salt Lake Community College, but was shot down with final scores of 0-8 and 2-9.
“It’s tough to lose,” head coach Lonny Sargent said. “We need to be more consistent and keep the pressure on the other team instead of on us.”
The scoreless first game only led up to the second when the Aggies came to the field with confidence in one hand and a bat in the other for an energetic first inning. From there, it all went downhill.
The second game started with the Aggies in the outfield, and Jessica Garnett pitching.
Garnett was one of the four different pitchers used in both games, along with Heather Straight, Jill Bruins and Leslie Higley.
The fall games are treated like live practices for the team. Umpires are also brought out to make the game seem as real as possible. Because of the situation, Sargent uses the fall to decide where everyone fits best.
The Aggies came up to bat in the first inning and after a quick strike out by the first batter, they kicked it up a notch.
Jenna McCartney stepped up to the base, and after one strike managed a single. Kelly Leos continued where McCartney left off and also got a single.
With McCartney on second and Leos on first, Candice Hatch followed the lead and got a double.
With a hit deep into the left field, McCartney came in for the run.
Hatch made it to second, but Leos brought the Aggies a second out, at third.
With one run down, Sara Fleming came up to bat a single that advanced Hatch to third. Michell Vlahos then came in to take Fleming’s place on first.
The next batter up, Bruins, hit a single bringing Hatch home but also the third out for the Aggies.
“They made some really good plays to bounce back at the beginning of the second game,” said Sargent. “We just need to be more consistent.”
Heather Haak said that the team needs to work on its hitting and also being more aggressive.
With the Bruins notching 13 hits to the Aggies’ seven, Utah State fell in the second game 2-9.
“Once we come through we will be unstoppable,” said Lauren Guzman.
Although Guzman didn’t play in the first game, she hit twice in the second but grounded out both times.
She said that all she wanted to do was get a feel for the pitcher’s style.
Next the team will head to Las Vegas, the first week of November for a tournament.
-vramirez@cc.usu.edu