Softball whomps in-state rival Utes in five innings
The Utah State softball team found some offense Wednesday as they went head-to-head with the University of Utah. The Aggies defeated their in-state rivals 12-2 in five innings at home.
The Aggies fought against the cold weather with red-hot bats as they scored 12 runs for the second straight game.
After a no-score first inning by both teams, the University of Utah struck first when the Ute’s Brittney Parker drove in a run with a double to right field. USU’s starting pitcher Shelbi Tyteca stepped up however, and finished strong to close out the inning.
In the bottom of the second, the Aggies found their stride with their bats scoring eight runs to give them a 7-run cushion on the Utes.
Allison Lenzora got on base first for the Aggies with a single and then later advanced to second with a stolen base. Megan Macdonald battled at the plate and got a walk to put runners on first and second.
Tatem Day sacrificed to advance the runners and Krista Bava singled to right to give herself two RBIs and the Aggies a 1-run lead. Kelley Kaneshiro stepped up to the plate for the Aggies and cleared the bases with a double to left-center.
The Aggies would score three more runs including one unearned trip to the plate to close out the second inning with an 8-1 lead.
Utah State head coach Carissa Millsap-Kalaba replaced Tyteca with Mandy Harmon to start the third. Harmon came up big for the Aggies pitching two perfect innings.
The Aggies brought out their big bats in the bottom of the third. Lenzora stepped up the plate for her second bat of the day with only one out. She picked the perfect time for her first home run of the season, blasting a ball out of the park to give the Aggies a 9-1 lead.
Day walked for the Aggies and pinch hitter Katie Bowdidge singled for her first hit of the season. A Ute error advanced the Aggie runners to second and third giving Joreigh Landers a huge opportunity.
Landers drilled her first homerun run of the season with a 3-run shot to left field. The home run sealed the win for the Aggies giving them a 12-1 lead.
Tyteca said the key for the Aggies was their patience on the offensive side of the game.
“We usually get to deep in the count but we started hitting our pitches and it showed with all the line shots.” Tyteca said.
Some strong pitching closed out the game for the Aggies. USU junior pitcher Dani Chaplin threw well for the Aggies only allowing one run in the final innings of the game.
Tyteca said the key to the Aggie pitching was getting movement on the ball.
“We were just hitting our spots and our balls moved a lot,” Tyteca said. “We’re mixing it up a lot more than we usually do.”
The Aggie defense held out for the 12-2 win for Utah State. The win ends a six game losing streak against the Utes that has lasted since March 26, 2008.
It is the second time this season the Aggies have won a game in the fifth inning because of the run-rule. Harmon improves to 8-22 with the win.
The Aggies will take the field next in Reno with a series against the University of Utah April 29-30.
-meredith.kinney@aggiemail.usu.edu