April 8, 2001

STOCKTON, Calif. - On another cold, wet and windy day, 18th-ranked Pacific scored all the runs it needed in the first inning en route to a 4-1 victory against Utah State in Big West softball here on Sunday. The game was called in the sixth inning after a second big rain storm hit the field. The game had been delayed in the fourth inning for one hour due to rain as well.

Pacific improved to 36-6 overall, including 8-1 in the Big West while the Aggies fell to 5-27 and 1-8.

After an out to open the game, Pacific used a walk and back-to-back singles to score two runs. The second single by Estee Okumura got by Aggie centerfielder Marnie Andrews and allowed both runners to score as Okumura ended up on third on the play.

Utah State placed leadoff batters on base in each of the second through fifth innings, but could not get any of them across the plate until the fifth inning. In fact the Aggies did not send more than four players to bat in any of the first four innings. However, USU loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth as Heather Curtis drew a walk and Marnie Andrews, Danielle Rodriguez and Shannon Acevedo all singled. Acevedo's single plated Curtis for USU's lone run.

Aggie pitcher Kristin Hommel suffered her 14th loss in 15 decisions this year after allowing Pacific's early runs before leaving the game with two outs in the fourth inning and the score 3-0. Xochitl Ramirez came on in relief of Hommel for the second straight day.

USU is scheduled to host Utah on Wed., April 11 in a doubleheader beginning at 2 p.m. That will be the first of four straight home dates for the Aggies, who will host Sacramento State on April 13 and 14 and Brigham Young on April 18 before hitting the road again.

PACIFIC 4, UTAH STATE 1

USU 000 010 - 1 4 1

UOP 200 110 - 4 8 0

Note: 1 out, 3 runners on base when the game ended in the bottom of the sixth due to rain. Hommel, Ramirez (4) and Nickle. Ball and Lowry. W - Ball (22-4). L - Hommel (1-14). LOB - USU 6, UOP 11. SB - Hopkins (USU). Attn. -- 150