USU softball beats No. 7 Fresno State, loses four other games at Fullerton, perpares for BYU
USU head coach Pam McCreesh had always believed playing a tough pre-conference schedule best prepares a team for league play.
With Big West Conference play less then a week away, the USU women’s softball team played four teams ranked in the top-15 in the Kia Classic in Fullerton, Calif., last weekend. USU finished the tournament with a 1-4 record; its win coming against No. 7 Fresno State University. USU is now 4-16 on the season.
Next up for the Aggies is a trip to Provo on Wednesday, where they’ll play a doubleheader against Brigham Young University. Play will begin at 1:30 p.m.
Softball at BYU (15-15 on the season) is in its second season since being reinstated by the University. BYU is lead by freshman Oli Keohohou, who has been an opposing pitcher’s nightmare so far this season. She leads the Cougars in several offensive categories, with a whopping .451 batting average, 13 homers and 22 walks.
“She’s a great hitter,” said head coach Pam McCreesh. “You have to pitch to her carefully if you pitch to her at all.”
Louisiana-Lafayette 4,
USU 2
The University of Louisiana-Lafayette jumped on the Aggies early, taking a 3-0 lead into the top of the second inning en route to a 4-2 victory over the Aggies on Saturday afternoon.
The Ragin’ Cajuns collected three walks and three hits in the first inning off Aggie sophomore Xochitl Ramirez. Jana Mower broke the game open with a two-run single and eventually scored on a bases-loaded walk.
USU would rally in the second inning on a two-run home run by Eva DeJarnette. The Ragin’ Cajuns would counter in a bottom of the second on a solo homer by Alana Addison.
Freshman pitcher Lisa Spencer, who relieved Ramirez, pitched five strong innings of two-hit ball. Ragin’ Cajun pitcher Melissa Coronado improved to 15-5 on the season.
No. 12 Washington 1, USU 0
Junior pitcher Kristin Hommel pitched a complete game two-hitter against the University of Washington Saturday, but her season-high 11 strikeouts didn’t keep the Huskies from holding off the Aggies as they won 1-0.
“She had total command of every hitter,” McCreesh said.
The Huskies came up with the clutch hit when it counted. First baseman Amanda Oleson singled in Kim Depaul in the bottom of the first after Depaul had advanced to third on a wild pitch.
Huskie ace Tia Bollinger held the Aggies scoreless, allowing only three hits in seven innings. With the victory, Bollinger improved to a scorching 18-2 on the season.
USU 4, No. 7 Fresno State 1
After struggling at the plate for the majority of the season, the Aggie bats came alive in a big way, tallying up a season high of 14 hits in Friday’s 4-1 victory over the Bulldogs of Fresno State University.
USU was lead by DeJarnette, who blasted the Bulldogs, pitching for three hits in four at bats. Heather Curtis, Casey Smith and Shannon Acevedo were also stellar at the plate; all three players went 2-for-3.
The Aggies scored all their necessary runs in the first two innings of play. Third baseman Stephanie Vasarhely singled in Smith to give them a 1-0 lead after the first inning. Curtis scored what turned out to be the winning run off an Acevedo double in the second inning.
“If we keep hitting like that, we’re definitely going to win some ball games,” McCreesh said.
No. 5 Oklahoma 8, USU 0
The University of Oklahoma demonstrated why it’s the defending national champion, holding the Aggies to one hit while jumping out to a 5-0 lead after two innings Thursday. The game ended with an 8-0 shutout.
Catcher Ashli Barrett lead the charge for the Sooners, finishing the game with three RBIs on two hits. Sooner pitcher Adrianne Ratliff improved to 9-2 on the season.
No. 14 Notre Dame 6, USU 0
Tied at 0-0 after five innings, the University of Notre Dame took control, scoring six runs in the sixth inning. The Irish downed the Aggies 6-0 in the opening game of the Kia Classic.
Third baseman Andria Bledsoe doubled with bases loaded to drive in three of Notre Dame’s runs. Alexis Madrid ended the scoring, driving in Andria Mattison on a double to left center.