Feb. 10, 2001
TEMPE, Ariz. - - Mimicking yesterday's action at the Fiesta Bowl Tournament the Utah State softball team won its first game of the day defeating Georgia (3-1), before dropping game two to Wisconsin (5-0) in the second day of the Arizona State-hosted tournament. Today's action brings the Aggies to 2-2 on the season.
In an eight-inning thriller Utah State pulled out a come from behind victory to knock off Georgia in Saturdays first game. The Bulldogs took the early lead, scoring a run in the third inning. The Aggies were kept scoreless until the top of the seventh when sophomore Eva DeJarnette was walked and then advanced to second on a UGA wild pitch. Sophomore Danielle Rodriguez reached first on an error by the short stop, allowing DeJarnette to take two bases and bring in the game-tying run. The Aggie defense held Georgia scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to send the game into extra innings.
Playing by international rules Utah State began the eighth inning with a runner, freshman Casey Smith, on second. Smith preceded to steal third and junior Heather Curtis was walked. Sophomore Stephanie Vasarhely hit a line drive into a double play, leaving Curtis on first. Junior cather Breanne Nickle then stepped to the plate and blasted a two-run homer to bring in the Aggies game-winning runs. Nickle's homerun was her first of the season and the fourth of her career.
In the second game of the day USU was shut out 5-0 by Wisconsin. Badger pitcher Andrea Kirchberg tied the Wisconsin school record for strikeouts in a game recording 15 in all. USU did not record a hit in the seven innings of play.
Utah State will conclude its play in the Fiesta Bowl Tournament tomorrow when it takes on Texas Tech at 8 a.m. at the Rose Mofford Sports Complex.
UTAH STATE 3, GEORGIA 1USU 000 000 12 - 3 3 0UGA 001 000 00 - 1 5 1WP-Lisa Spencer, USU, LP-Kaili Howard, UGA, HR - Breanne Nickle, USU, 2B - Julie Milner, UGA, Shannon McKeon, UGA.
UTAH STATE 0, WISCONSIN 5USU 000 000 0 - 0 0 2WISC 001 103 0 - 5 6 1WP-Andrea Kirchberg, WISC, LP-Kristin Hommel, USU, 2B - Lindy Barth, WISC, Teresa Mendez, WISC.
