USU wins two straight for the first time in ’01
For the first time this season, the Utah State softball team swept a series.
The Aggies’ doubleheader against Southern Utah University Wednesday afternoon proved to be one of their best outings. USU has struggled at home, winning only one of seven home games during the month of April – until now.
The victory over the Thunderbirds improves the Aggies’ home record to 3-9. USU’s season record stands at 9-35 as it prepares for its final home stand of the year, facing the University of California, Santa Barbara.
Head coach Pam McCreesh said the win was the result of a combined effort between the offense, defense and pitching.
While the win certainly was a team endeavor, catcher Breanne Nickle led the Aggies in nearly every statistical category. At the plate, Nickle went 3-7 over the course of the two games.
She posted six RBIs; quite an improvement for the junior from Bluffdale, considering she had a total of 13 RBIs during the entire 2000 season.
Nickle also recorded a double, scored three times and notched two home runs, which is as many as she had all last year. Nickle’s second homer, incidentally, was the game-winning run.
Nickle fared well against in-state rival SUU. Last season, Nickle went 6-9 at the plate during a doubleheader against the Thunderbirds to go along with three triples.
“I couldn’t be more proud of Breanne,” McCreesh said. “It’s rewarding to see the hard work pay off and I’m really happy for her.”