Utes’ four in first inning doom USU
Take out the first inning of the USU women’s softball game against the University of Utah and the Aggies held the offensive-minded Utes to three hits and one run in six innings.
Unfortunately for the Aggies, Utah jumped on them in the first inning, scoring four runs on four hits and two walks in the Utes’ 5-1 victory on Wednesday afternoon at Ute Field. The Utes improved to 22-15-1, while the Aggies fell to 5-24.
“Other than the first inning, it was a great game,” said USU head coach Pam McCreesh.
USU was able to contain Niki Hayhurst one game after Hayhurst hit three dingers against Colorado State University, holding her to a single in the first inning. However, the Aggies had trouble slowing down the Utes’ other two big offensive weapons.
Junior third baseman Lyndsey Trevis – batting .410 on the season – went 2-for-3 with a solo shot, a double and two RBIs and freshman slugger Melissa Stahnke went 2-for-3, including a game-breaking two-run blast in the first inning. Stahnke’s homer was her 12th of the year.
“Again, we had to play from behind, which changes the mentality of the game,” McCreesh said.
Ute centerfielder Molly McLean lead off the bottom of the first inning with a walk. Aggie pitcher Xochitl Ramirez found herself in an early hole when the next batter, Trevis, doubled to right field, driving in McLean. Trevis’s double set the stage for Stahnke, who deposited a Ramirez pitch over the right field fence, giving the Utes a 3-0 lead.
Two outs and an Angie Kenney RBI single later, Lisa Spencer replaced Ramirez and ended the inning with the strikeout, but not before the damage had been done.
The Aggies would stage a rally in the fifth inning.
Second baseman Danielle Rodriguez walked to begin the inning and advanced to second on a Christina Conrad single. Following a Marnie Andrews ground out that advanced the runners and a Casey Smith fly ball to center, Rodriguez crossed the plate on a wild pitch.
Utah pitcher Kristin Arbogast would end the threat, getting catcher Breanne Nickle to ground to Hayhurst.
Although disappointed with the loss, McCreesh said she was happy with her team’s performance after the first inning, especially Spencer’s. After replacing Ramirez, Spencer gave up only three hits and one run in five and one-third innings.
“Spencer pitched a tremendous game,” McCreesh said.
USU will travel to Stockton, Calif., this weekend to play a three-game series with the red-hot No. 18-ranked University of the Pacific Tigers – a team that has won 20 of its last 21 games.
When asked if she thought the Tigers were the hottest team in the Big West Conference, McCreesh said, “Definitely. I believe they have won 18 of their last 19 games.”
In BWC play, UOP is in second place with a 5-1 record behind Long Beach State and Cal-State University at Fullerton (both 6-0). The Aggies (1-5 in the BWC) will be looking to accomplish something that hasn’t been done this season – earn a road victory at Pacific. Pacific is currently 14-0 on its home field.
“We’re going to their home field and are going to have to play our absolute best if we want to beat them – and that mean’s everyone,” McCreesh said.
Junior pitcher Cindy Ball heads a stingy pitching staff that allows a league-low 1.28 runs per game. Ball was recently named BWC pitcher of the week.