Softball’s Riley Plogger perfect in 11-2 win over UVU
Lightning shortened Utah State softball’s Wednesday doubleheader to just a single outing against Utah Valley, but only after the Aggies blasted the Wolverines in their first contest 11-2. A season-high four Utah State home runs screamed their way out of LaRee & LeGrand Johnson Field before the inclement weather cancelled the remainder of game 2 in just the second inning.
“We’re hitting really well right now,” said USU head coach Steve Johnson. “The team has a lot of confidence at the plate, especially our middle hitters. When one gets going, they start feeding off each other and it can be a pretty daunting lineup.”
Freshman Kellie White, currently the second-sharpest pitcher in the Mountain West with a 1.73 ERA (teammate April Brown tops the rankings with 1.66), walked off the mound after pitching a complete game boasting six strikeouts, zero walks and just three hits.
“Kellie has done a great job all year and has found a pitch that is really working for her,” Johnson said. “It was great on her part to come out and get the win.”
White wasn’t the only newcomer turning heads — freshman outfielder Riley Plogger terrorized the Wolverines with a flawless afternoon, smacking two home runs for five RBIs on 3-of 3 turns at the plate. Seniors Sarina Jaramillo and Victoria Saucedo contributed a combined 5-of-7 afternoon.
Utah Valley scored once in the top of the first, but promptly gave the lead away to solid hitting by Jaramillo and Saucedo, along with a nifty stolen base from junior Jazmin Clarke. The game would only remain close for another inning. In the bottom of the third, Saucedo crossed the plate following a Jaramillo single just before Plogger knocked a three-run shot over the fence. Seconds later, Senior Sydney Hart stepped in and added a solo home run — the lead now a much more comfortable 7-1.
The Aggies notched 13 hits in the first game of the day, committing three errors and allowing just two runs. Plans for the rest of the day were spoiled by an incoming storm. Utah State returns to action Friday, March 24, at 5 p.m. (MT) against the Nevada Wolf Pack.