Softball weekly recap: Defense struggles, emotions flare vs. Fresno State

After climbing to the top of the Mountain West standings last week, USU Softball slipped back to second place this week, winning just one of their last four games.

The week got off to a rocky start on April 8 as the Aggies fell to Idaho State 13-2. They then dropped two of three games in their series against Fresno State, with their lone win coming on April 12 by a score of 9-5.

“The games get bigger,” said head coach Todd Judge. “A lot of these kids have never been in the position before to play for a championship and be in first place. The pressure could be starting to get to some of them a little bit.”

Judge kicked off the week by giving his hottest pitcher Emmalyn Brinka the start against the Bengals. Brinka had been lights out the week before against New Mexico and San Jose State, but she struggled against Idaho State, surrendering eight hits and five earned runs in just four innings.

Another key performer in the pitching lineup this week was Denay Smith. She played a crucial role in the team’s 9-5 win over the Bulldogs on Saturday, allowing just three hits and one run over six innings.

Aside from Smith’s standout performance, the Aggies’ pitching wavered throughout the week.

“It’s on us as a coaching staff and pitching staff to make sure we’re keeping them focused,” Judge said. 

What stood out most in these recent games was the disconnect on defense. Utah State’s fielding has ranked at the top of the conference all season, but a total of six errors over four games caused plenty of problems — especially in the loss to Fresno State on April 13.

“I think the two errors today probably cost us three, maybe four, runs in the game,” Judge said. “It’s uncharacteristic for us to do that. I’m surprised by it, and I thought those were big plays.”

At the plate, USU’s top hitters didn’t look like themselves this past week, while both opponents delivered strong performances on the mound.

Leadoff hitter Ariel Fifita went a combined 3-for-12 at the plate, hitting two home runs and driving in two runs. Meanwhile, top slugger Giselle Gonzalez managed just two hits in 10 at-bats — both of them home runs.

Their third best hitter Grace Matej managed two home runs as well but was only 3-for-13 and struck out six times.

“We just have run into some good pitching, and we’re stagnating a little bit offensively,” Judge said. 

Through four innings on April 13, Utah State had momentum on their side with the game tied 4-4. Despite ongoing fielding mistakes, the Aggies’ pitching was holding strong while Fresno State’s pitchers began to show signs of fatigue.

That all changed when USU first baseman Gonzalez and Bulldogs batter Kennedy Bunker exchanged words, sparking a confrontation that led both dugouts to empty. Gonzalez and Aggies pitcher Riley Pindel were ejected, along with seven Fresno State players for leaving the bench.

With so many Bulldogs players ejected — including their two top hitters Bunker and Sophia Medellin — Utah State seemed poised to take control. Instead, heightened emotions and an hour-long delay for the umpire review shifted the momentum, ultimately contributing to the Aggies’ downfall.

“Usually, those work in your favor,” Judge said. “But maybe that’s the first time a lot of our kids have seen something like that in their life. We just didn’t keep the same focus, and the whole game shifts in that moment.”

No official suspensions have been announced following the ejections. 

According to NCAA regulations, ejections often result in a one-game suspension, while leaving the dugout can lead to a two-game ban. Based on those guidelines, Gonzalez may face a one-game suspension, while Pindel could be looking at two games for leaving the dugout.

Looking ahead to next week, the Aggies are set to face their toughest conference opponent: the top-ranked Nevada Wolf Pack. Nevada leads the Mountain West in pitching with an impressive 2.48 ERA.

While Nevada’s pitching staff will be a formidable challenge, Utah State may benefit from a bit of familiarity. The Wolf Pack’s top two pitchers Hailey McLean and Tess Bumiller are both former Aggies.

“You’d like to think it would be an advantage that you’ve seen it before and know what it looks like, but [McLean and Bumiller] are a little bit different pitchers than they were here and with a different pitching coach,” Judge said. “We’ll have to watch film and see what they do, but I know we should step in the box with a little bit more confidence than we do against other pitchers.”

Nevada will host Utah State in a three-game series on April 17-19.