Ags upset Ducks, then lose
SALT LAKE – The Utah State softball team came into its game against the University of Utah ready to play and come out with a win on the shoulders of their defense.
But the Aggies’ bats couldn’t keep up with their defense and Utah came away with a 4-2 victory in the in-state matchup.
“We haven’t been executing very well offensively, we aren’t hitting the ball and that is costing our team,” said Aggie Head Coach Debbie Bilboa. “I feel like our pitchers and our defense are doing a fairly decent job, we just need to put the pressure on and we can’t wait until the sixth inning to hit.”
USU scattered four hits over seven innings for their two runs. The Utes scattered six hits, scoring one run in each of the first two innings and then adding two insurance runs – one in the fourth and one in the sixth inning.
Utah State’s bats came out, but it was a little late.
In the sixth inning, Haven Vance scorched a single into left center and was advanced to second base by a sacrifice bunt by Michelle Vlahos. Jessica Garnett then reached base on an error, putting runners on first and second. Quela Henderson then grounded out and advanced the runners to second and third.
This was the Aggies best scoring chance late in the game. Sara Flemming then singled into left field, bringing home Vance but Garnett was called out at the plate trying to score.
“I was just hoping I could get something going and get a rally going, but we’ve got to start earlier, plain and simple. That is what needs to happen,” Vance said.
March 27, the Utah State softball team traveled north to Eugene, Ore. to compete in two doubleheaders against two nationally ranked teams, No. 19 Oregon and No. 16 Oregon State.
March 28, Utah State lost twice to Oregon State 9-0 and 7-0 in their doubleheader.
Jessica Garnett was one of the only bright spots for the Aggies, leading them with three hits on the day.
USU broke up a perfect game attempt from OSU’s pitcher Brianne McGowan. Vance singled to the outfield in the top of the fourth inning and Garnett also had a single.
The single by Garnett was the only serious chance the Aggies had to score in the first game of the doubleheader. But that scoring chance went unawarded when Kelly Leos popped out to end the inning.
Oregon State had a six-run second inning to bury USU, and good pitching from the Beavers kept the Aggies down with a final score of 9-0. Utah State only had two hits during the first game of their doubleheader against OSU.
The second game was pretty much the same story. Utah State had only five hits all game and was shut out for the second game in a row, losing 7-0.
OSU only scored runs in two innings. Usually that’s good news for the opposing team. But on this day it wasn’t good enough for the Aggies.
Vanessa Lapala blasted a three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning to jump to an early 3-0 lead on the Aggies. Oregon State added four more runs in the fifth to cruise to their second victory of the day.
Against Oregon, the Aggies surprised the Ducks with a big second inning, scoring three runs to take a 3-1 lead.
Oregon then scored two more runs, one in the fifth and one in the sixth inning to tie up the game at 3.
In the top of the ninth inning, Vance hit a two-run home run to propel the Aggies to an upset win in extra innings over the No. 19 Oregon team 5-4. Oregon tried to rally but was only able to tack on one more run in the bottom of the ninth.
Vance had two hits in five at bats with four RBIs to lead her squad to victory.
“It was huge,” Bilboa said. “We beat a top 25 team, it shows what kind of team we are and what kind of team we can be if we become more consistent.”
The second game of the doubleheader wasn’t quite as successful for Utah State. The Aggies were shut out while Oregon’s pitcher, Ani Nyhus threw a no hitter and struck out 16 Utah State batters. The 16 strike outs are an Oregon single game record.
The 2-0 loss was the second time this season USU failed to connect with any hits during a game.
-kcaustin@cc.usu.edu
Aggie Michell Vlahos gets the ball back into the infield after a Utah player hit a single. (Photo by John Zsiray)