March 9, 2009

Box Score

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. - - Utah State softball split a doubleheader with Cal State Bakersfield on the road on Monday. Utah State fell to Cal State Bakersfield in game one of a doubleheader by a score of 12-0 in five innings. The Aggies rebounded in the second game of the doubleheader, 6-3. USU moves to 6-16 after the win.

"Cal State Bakersfield kicked our butts in the first game, but we were able to rebound in the second game and win it in the ninth inning," Head coach Candi Letts said. "Lindsey (Benson) pitched great for her first win. CSUB is the best hitting team that we have faced this season, and we hung in there and had timely hits."

The Aggies played Cal State Bakersfield tough through three innings, but the fourth inning would prove to be disastrous. Kate Greenough got the start for Utah State, allowing 10 hits and nine earned runs through 3.1 innings.

Cal State Bakersfield started the scoring in the first, plating two runs off a home runs by Justeen Maeva. Then in the third inning Maeva drove in another run to extend the lead to 3-0 for the Roadrunners.

The Aggies looked to get back into the game in the top of the fourth inning, when Rayna Bradshaw got the first hit for Utah State. Simone Hubbard then walked to give the Aggies two on with only one out, but Cal State was able to escape the inning unscathed.

In the fourth inning, the Roadrunners were able to put the game away, as they scored nine runs on nine hits, including two home runs.

In the second game, USU played its fourth extra inning game, earning its first win. On March 8, USU lost to Cal Poly in 13 innings, 2-1. The Aggies got on the board first scoring one run in the top of the first inning. Freshman Jasmine Harris continued her hot hitting, starting the inning with a double to right center. A sacrifice bunt from junior Nicole Rupp moved Harris to third. Harris would give the Aggies a 1-0 lead after an error by Roadrunner shortstop Sammy Rodriguez.

USU added another run in the top of the third inning when freshman Rayna Bradshaw walked to start the inning. With two outs and Bradshaw on second, senior Jeanine Hernandez doubled to right center, scoring Bradshaw.

Cal State Bakersfield tied the score with two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Kelli Bailey walked, while Jill McClelland singled to second. Two runs would cross the plate when Justeen Maeva doubled to leftfield.

The Aggies would answer quickly in the top of the sixth inning. Jeanine Hernandez got her second double of the game to lead off the inning. She would move to third on a sacrifice bunt by Rachel Evans. Pitcher Lindsey Benson helped her own cause with a single down the leftfield line to put USU up 3-2.

CSUB answered right back in the bottom of the sixth to tie the scored and push the game into extra innings.

In the ninth inning, USU ended the extra-inning affair plating a trio of runs to put the game out of reach. Emily Reilly started the rally with an infield single. After a sacrifice bunt, Nicole Rupp doubled to score Reilly. The next batter, Rayna Bradshaw hit her second home run of the season with a shot to leftfield, giving the Aggies the 6-3 lead.

Harris ended the game 2-for-5 with one run scored, while Bradshaw finished the game with a 2-for-3 record, scoring two runs and driving in two.

With the win, Benson broke an eight-game losing streak and improved to 1-8.

Greenough takes the loss for the Aggies, with Stacey Ellingsworth getting in just under an inning of work. Rayna Bradshaw and Emily Reilly recorded the only hits for Utah State.

USU takes the remainder of the week off to prepare for its Western Athletic Conference opener, Friday, March 20 at 3 p.m. at LaRee and LeGrand Johnson Field.

Team    (Five Innings)            R    H    EUtah State                        0    4    0Cal State Bakersfield            12    14   0
Team    (Nine Innings)           R    H    EUtah State                       6    9    0Cal State Bakersfield            3    10   1