April 21, 2002

Box Score

LOGAN, Utah - Utah State softball (8-37, 4-11) picked up three Big West victories Sunday, sweeping Cal State Northridge. The Aggies won 2-1 in the first game, 3-2 in nine innings in the second game, and 4-2 in the third game. Cal State Northridge's record moves to 29-22 overall and 8-10 in the Big West.

The teams played three games Sunday because of snow in Logan Saturday, and the games mark USU's first four-game conference winning streak since April 28-30, 1998, as USU defeated Sacramento State Sunday, April 14. The last time the Aggies played three games in one day was March 17, 2000, at the Sacramento State Tournament, as USU went 1-2.

In the first game Cal State Northridge scored in the first inning and held the lead until the fourth, when the Aggies tied the game on an RBI double by Heather Curtis. In the fifth inning, USU scored again, as Casey Smith hit a leadoff triple and Kelly Leos drove her in on a single to shortstop. Kristin Hommel (4-14) picked up her first of two wins on the day.

USU held a 2-1 lead entering the seventh inning of the second game, but allowed the Matadors to score a run on designated player Summer Richardson's home run, tying the game. In the bottom of the ninth, USU's Breanne Smith hit her fourth home run of the season, giving the Aggies the 3-2 win. Lindsay Janssen (2-18) threw all nine innings for USU, allowing two runs on eight hits and three walks. She struck out eight.

In the third game Sunday, Cal State Northridge led 2-0 entering the fifth inning, when USU scored one run. Rightfielder Marnie Andrews was hit by the pitcher, and came around to score on Stephanie Vasarhely's RBI double. The Aggies went on to score three more runs in the bottom of the sixth, as C. Smith and Aimee Johnson each drove in a run. USU scored its final run of the day as C. Smith stole home.

On the day, Hommel (5-14) picked up two wins in 14.0 innings pitched. She allowed three earned runs on 11 hits and five walks. She struck out 12 and had one wild pitch. First baseman Leos was 4-11 with a double, a run scored and an RBI, while Heather Curtis was 4-9 with a double, a run scored and two RBIs. Vasarhely was 3-8 with two doubles, two walks, two RBIs and one run scored.

The Aggies travel to Utah on Tuesday, April 23 for a 3 p.m. game. Friday and Saturday, April 26-27, USU resumes Big West play at UC Santa Barbara. The Aggies play a single game Friday at 3 p.m. and a doubleheader Saturday at 1 p.m.

UTAH STATE 2, CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 1 (GAME 1)CSN  -  100 000 0  -  1   2    0USU      -  000 110 x  -  2   5    0Wheeler and Grund, Hommel and B. Smith.W- Hommel (4-14), L- Wheeler (12-4)2B- (CSN) Milchiker (USU) Leos (4), Curtis (6).3B- (USU) C. Smith (2).
UTAH STATE 3, CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 2 (9 INNINGS, GAME 2)CSN  -  000 010 100  -  2   8    1USU      -  000 002 001  -  3   8    2Fennell, Wheeler (7) and Grund, Janssen and Carlson.W- Janssen (2-18), L- Wheeler (12-5)2B- (CSN) Bedwell, Richardson (USU) Vasarhely (5).HR- (CSN)- Richardson, (USU) B. Smith (4).
UTAH STATE 4, CAL STATE NORTHRIDGE 2 (GAME 3)CSN  -  001 100 0  -  2   9    1USU      -  000 013 x  -  4   7     0Richardson, Fennel (6) and Grund, Hommel and B. Smith.W- Hommel (5-14), L- Richardson (4-6)2B- (CSN) Milchiker, Kearns (USU) Vasarhely (6).HR- (CSN)- Bedwell.