In-state softball rivals clash
Fresh off a road victory over the University of California at Northridge, the USU women’s softball team will look to maintain its momentum when it takes on the University of Utah Wednesday at 3 p.m. in Salt Lake City.
“They showed a ton of emotion on Sunday,” said USU head coach Pam McCreesh. “I just hope it carries over [against Utah].”
Wednesday’s game will be the second meeting between the two teams this season and the 123rd of the series (Utah leads the all-time series 71-52). The Aggies will be looking to avenge a 4-0 shutout at the hands of the Utes earlier in the month at the Red Desert Classic.
Utah, 18-15 on the season, heads into Wednesday’s contest following consecutive losses to the No. 2-ranked University of Arizona Wildcats. After playing 33 straight games on the road or on a neutral field, Wednesday’s contest will be the Utes’ first home game of the year. USU will play its first this weekend.
Like Brigham Young University, one of the Utes’ key players is freshman Melissa Stahnke, who leads Utah with 10 round-trippers and seven doubles. She is second on the team in batting average (.347) and RBIs (26). Third baseman Lyndsey Trevis leads the team in batting average (.392) and on-base percentage (.475).
Against the Matadors, the Aggies benefited from strong play by outfielder Markean Neal and pitcher Kristin Hommel. Neal finished the weekend 3-for-9 at the plate. After losing several heartbreakers throughout the season, Hommel picked up her first victory of the year Sunday.