March 25, 2008

Box Score

OREM, Utah - Utah State softball concluded its 22-game road stretch by snapping a 10-game losing streak with an exciting 11-2 run-rule win after five innings over Utah Valley at the Wolverine Softball Field in Orem, Utah on Tuesday. USU continued the momentum in game two with strong performances at the plate and made great defensive plays to win, 8-2.

The Aggies improved to 5-17 on the season, heading into Wednesday's home-opener against another in-state foe, Utah. The Wolverines fall to 5-19 overall. Utah State also snapped a four-game series losing streak to Utah Valley, as the Aggies now lead, 7-5.

In game one, USU went up 2-0 in the top of the first, as sophomore center fielder Emily Reilly hit a lead-off single up the middle and junior first baseman Aubrie Stroman smacked a home run over the right field fence. Utah Valley cut into the lead by scoring a run in the home half of the first.

The Aggies rallied in the top of the second scoring four runs on four hits. Senior catcher Heather Haak led off the inning with a single to center and scored on a Reilly double to right center. Sophomore left fielder Mikey Price singled and freshman shortstop Kelley Kaneshiro followed with a shot over the center field fence for a three-run home run. The Wolverines tallied a run in the bottom of the third to make the score, 6-2.

USU second baseman Nicole Rupp started the visitor half of the fourth with a double to deep left and then scored on Reilly's single to center for her third hit of the game. Utah State's bats came alive again in the fifth scoring four more runs on four hits capitalizing on two more two-run home runs by senior third baseman Amy Schaible and Haak.

Aggie junior pitcher Lindsey Benson picked up her fourth win of the year, striking out five in five innings of work. Benson moves to 4-12 on the year. UVU pitcher Heidi Stocks falls to 1-8 overall after four and a third innings in the circle, recording one strikeout.

Overall, Utah State tallied 11 runs on 12 hits with 11 RBI in the game. The Aggies were one home run short of the single game record, blasting four Tuesday.

Kaneshiro started off the second game with a solo home run in the Aggie half of the first with two outs to put Utah State on the board. Utah Valley responded with a solo home run by third baseman Cherylyn McGraw in the bottom of the opening inning.

The Wolverines committed three errors in the second, allowing USU to score two runs on two hits. Freshman right fielder Megan McDonald reached on an error, stole second then advanced to third on a bunt single by Rupp and McDonald later scored on another UVU error. Rupp stole second and then scored on a single by Reilly.

Benson retired the side in the bottom of the second, while the Aggies brought in two more runs in the third to make it 5-1. Schaible walked to start off the inning, while McDonald smacked her first home run of the season with a shot to center.

Benson then retired the side in order in the next three innings and McDonald made a fantastic diving catch in the fourth to fuel the Aggie defense.

USU tacked on another three runs in the sixth, as Reilly walked, Price bunted and Kaneshiro singled to center to bring in Reilly. Price scored on an error by the UVU shortstop and Kaneshiro scored the final run on a single by Schaible. The Wolverines' designated player Heidi Stocks hit a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh for the final score.

Kaneshiro hit a home run in both games to push her season total to four which leads the team. Stroman tallied her third, Schaible hit her second of the year while Haak and McDonald collected their first round-trippers of the season.

Schaible now has 16 home runs in her career needs two to tie for third with Jennifer Power (1991-94) and Breanne Smith (1999-02) on USU's career HR list. She also added three more RBI in the game to her career total, which now stands at 63, taking over 10th on the career RBI list surpassing former teammate Sara Fleming (2003-06, 62).

The Aggies had six home runs on the day almost doubling their season total, which is now at 13.

After 22 games on the road, the Aggies host in-state foe Utah on Wednesday, March 26. The doubleheader starts at 2 p.m. (MT) at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field. Admission to all home games is free.