March 7, 2003
Box Score
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Freshman pitcher Leslie Higley led Utah State softball (2-8) to a pair of wins here Friday. Higley picked up her first collegiate win with a 5-0 shutout against New Mexico State (2-24). She picked up a second win as the Aggies beat UNLV 4-3 as the Rebels fell to 10-13 this season.
"Leslie Higley had two tremendous performances," said head coach Debbie Bilbao. "She hit her spots and zoned in. Amanda Carlson had two successful games. Those two came up big for us."
Against New Mexico State in the first game, Utah State scored in the top of the first inning as Marcie Neff stole home. In the fourth inning, USU picked up two more runs of an error by NMSU rightfielder Nicky Dernal. In the fifth, Stephanie Vasarhely scored off a base hit by Carlson. In the sixth inning, Michell Vlahos picked up her first hit of the season with a triple to right field. Quela Henderson scored the final run for USU in the seventh inning off a Carlson single. Utah State had seven stolen bases in the game.
In the second game, Utah State scored one run in each of the first four innings, taking a 4-2 lead. Carli Baumgartner started at pitcher, but was replaced by Higley in the second inning. The Aggies held the Rebels at two runs until the seventh inning.
"We did a good job defensively, especially on two out situations," Bilbao said.
That was an important factor for the Aggies as they made the final out of the game with a runner in scoring position.
On the day, Amanda Carlson went 3-5 with three RBI, two walks and two stolen bases. Senior Marcie Neff led the Aggies in hitting, going 2-2 with one walk against UNLV and 4-6 on the day. She also had two stolen bases, an RBI and scored two runs. Kelly Leos went 2-5 with three walks and three stolen bases.
Vasarhely hit her first triple of the season, driving in a run against UNLV. Henderson also picked up her second double of the season.
The Aggies continue play Nevada at UNLV Saturday, March 8 at 1:30 p.m. Utah State will also play a game later Saturday and one game Sunday. Those games will be bracketed play and are still to be determined.
ResultsGame 1UTAH STATE 5, NEW MEXICO STATE 0USU - 100 210 1 - 5 9 0NMSU - 000 000 0 - 7 11 0Higley and Carlson; Bride (5), Knight and Grow. W- Higley (1-4), L- Bride (2-13).E - (NMSU) Dernal, Crow. DP - USU 2. LOB - Utah State 9; Ark. 5.3B - (USU) Vlahos. SB - (USU) Neff, M. (2), Leos, Henderson (2),Vasarhely, Carlson. CS - (NMSU) Owens, Stansberry.
Game 2UTAH STATE 4, UNLV 3USU - 111 100 0 - 4 7 2UNLV - 101 000 1 - 3 6 0Baumgartner (2), Higley and Carlson; McDonald and Petracco.W -Higley (2-4), L - McDonald (0-6). E - (USU) Vasarhely, Higley.DP - USU 1. LOB - Utah State 6; UNLV 8. 2B - (USU) Henderson.3B - (USU) Vasarhely. HBP - (UNLV) Glenn. SH - (USU) Neff, M.;Bayless, Bostwick, Mcdonald. SB - (USU) Leos (2), Carlson; (UNLV) Byrne.CS - (USU) Neff, M..
