At 3-12, Aggie softball team needs to rebound against SUU
After getting shutout in St. George at the Red Desert Classic last weekend, the USU women’s softball team is hoping this weekend’s trip to Southern Utah will be a much kinder one.
For the first time this season, the Aggies (3-12 on the season) will not play five games in a three-day tournament. USU will take the mound Saturday at noon for a twin-bill against instate rival Southern Utah University in Cedar City.
Both teams will be looking to rebound from performances at the Red Desert Classic. Like the Aggies, the Thunderbirds (6-13 on the season) were shutout in St. George, going 0-4. Although the Aggies have been dominant against the T-birds in years past – USU has won 51 out of 55 meetings between the two schools – Aggie head coach Pam McCreesh said SUU is a much-improved team.
“Southern Utah is a better team,” McCreesh said. “They have much better pitching than they have in the past.”
One of those much-improved pitchers is Lori Shephard. Shephard, last week’s Mid-Continent Conference pitcher of the week, at one point in the season pitched 13 innings of scoreless ball. McCreesh said Shephard has a good riseball, but has given up several homers. Patience at the plate will be the key to success against Shephard, McCreesh said.
While tournament play helps the Aggies prepare for Big West Conference play, McCreesh said it will be a relief to narrow the team’s focus from playing five teams in three days to playing one team.
“It definitely makes preparation easier,” she said. “It also makes it easier on the athletes.”
The Aggies came out on top of three of five games against the T-birds last season. USU defeated SUU 3-1 in St. George, and each team swept a pair of games on its home field.
When asked what difference home field advantage makes in college softball, McCreesh said it’s beneficial, just like any other sport. However, last season’s losses in Cedar City were more of a result of poor play on the Aggies’ part, she said.
“Just the traveling part is taxing in and of itself,” she said.
One Aggie who had breakout performance in St. George was freshman center fielder Shannon Acevedo. Acevedo batted .357 with two dingers and a double.
Following the trip to Cedar City, USU will be in Fullerton, Calif. March15-18 for a tournament hosted by Big West Conference foe California State University at Fullerton.