March 21, 2009

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LOGAN, Utah - Utah State softball lost the final two games in the three-game series with Boise State, getting swept in the doubleheader 12-6 and 7-3. With the losses Utah State has lost three-straight games and falls to 6-19 overall and 0-3 in the WAC. Boise State improves to 16-9 in its inaugural season and 3-0 in conference play.

The Aggies were plagued by errors in game one, committing seven errors which was the most in a single game this season. Starting pitcher Kate Greenough allowed nine runs and only three were earned. Only four of the 12 runs allowed were earned. Greenough fell to 3-5 with the loss, while Boise State's Allie Crump earned the first of two wins on the day. She ended the day with a 5-3 record.

"The first game of the day we didn't play well. We had seven errors," Head Coach Candi Letts said. "It was pretty bad. We let balls drop and let the game get a little bit out of hand. When we started to relax, we started to hit the ball."

In game one, Boise State jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after Lexi Straton reached first on an infield single. Straton advanced to second when catcher's interference was called on USU backstop Simone Hubbard, allowing Ashleigh Viers-Gordillo to reach first. Christina Capobianco gave the Broncos the early 1-0 lead with a single to centerfield, scoring Straton.

The Broncos scored three more runs in the third and added five runs in the top of the third to give Boise State a 9-0 lead. In the third inning, Kellie Caplan reached on a fielder's choice and moved to second on a single by Kelsey Perkins. A Leaha Hill single and an error by leftfielder Rachel Evans scored Caplan. Two more runs would cross the plate on an error by second baseman Jeanine Hernandez. The final two runs of the inning came across on a two-run home run by Kathy Cox, and the Broncos ended the inning with a 9-0 lead.

The Aggies fought back with two runs in the bottom of the third inning. An infield single from freshman Gina Rawls, and fellow freshman Jasmine Harris getting hit by a pitch would put two on for junior Nicole Rupp who doubled to center to scored Rawls. The lead would be cut to 9-2 when junior Simone Hubbard singled to center to score Harris.

The lead was cut to 9-4 when the Aggies plated two more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Junior Rachel Evans singled to rightfield with one out. Rawls got her second hit of the day two put runners on first and second. Jasmine Harris knocked in her seventh run of the season with a single to right center, and the final run would score on a fielder's choice.

The Broncos were not done though and went on to score three more runs the final three innings. Despite scoring two more runs in the bottom of the sixth, Boise State held on for the 12-6 win.

In the back end of the doubleheader, USU played much better with 10 hits and only one error, but Boise State used timely hitting to capture the 7-3 win.

Utah State got on the board first scoring one run in the bottom of the first inning. Harris got her second of three hits on the day to start the inning, and moved to second on an error by Bronco leftfielder Kelsey Perkins. Harris moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Nicole Rupp. Rayna Bradshaw knocked in her 13th run of the season with a single up the middle.

In the bottom of the third, USU tacked on another run to take a 2-0 lead. This lead would stand until the top of the sixth inning. In the sixth, Boise State would retake the lead with three runs. Jessi Hanna started the rally with the first of four hits in the inning. Leaha Hill would drive in two runs with a single to left center with the bases loaded. The Broncos took the lead on a single by Ashleigh Viers-Gordillo.

Utah State fought back to tie the score again in the bottom of the sixth. After two walks, senior Aubrie Stroman can through in the clutch with a single to the score 3-3.

Boise State broke through in the top of the seventh with four runs on three hits and the only Aggie error of the game to complete the three-game sweep.

"In this game, what I was really proud of with our girls was that we had a 2-0 lead. We did some good things. We didn't get a couple calls, but that is part of the game. But when they took the lead, we came back and scored. That was huge. That was really good that our team fought back," Letts said.

Utah State will now prepare for four road games next week. The Aggies will take on instate rival, Utah on Wednesday, March 25 at 4 p.m. before taking on San Jose State in a three-game series beginning on March 27 in San Jose.

Team    (Game One)      R   H   EBoise State         12  14  0Utah State          6   10  7
Team    (Game Two)      R   H   EBoise State         7   11  2Utah State          3   10  1