March 30, 2010

Box Score

OREM, Utah - Long balls and errors were the downfall of the Utah State softball team, as it was swept by Utah Valley in Orem, Utah on Tuesday. The Aggies dropped the first game 3-1, and were out-slugged in the second game 13-4 in five innings.

Utah State is now 12-15 overall and 1-2 in Western Athletic Conference play. Utah Valley now shares a 12-15 record with the sweep.

In the first game, despite jumping out to a 1-0 lead, the Aggies fell 3-1. Utah State got on the board first in the top of the first inning. Senior Rachel Evans reached on an error by UVU shortstop Samantha Telarroja. After an illegal pitch by starting pitcher Heather Bacon, redshirt-sophomore Kelley Kaneshiro doubled to deep center to give the Aggies the early 1-0 lead.

The Wolverines fought back scoring two runs in the bottom half of the first inning. Meghan Woodworth started the inning with a single and promptly stole second base. She tied the score when she crossed the plate after a single to right by Megan Gardner. She would give the Wolverines a 2-1 lead after a two-out single by Cherylyn McGraw.

After both teams scored in the first inning, neither team would plate another run until the bottom of the sixth inning when Utah Valley stretched its lead to 3-1, taking advantage of Aggie miscues. With two outs, McGraw reached on an error by Kaneshiro and moved to second on an error by senior Rachel Evans. A single by Jessica Anderson gave UVU the 3-1 lead.

With the loss, Greenough fell to 5-7 this season, while Martin got the win in relief and improved to 3-0.

In the second game of the doubleheader, it was Utah Valley that took the early lead. Woodworth started the game with a walk and moved to second on a fielder's choice by Mandy Tapia. Woodworth slid in under the tag and both runners were safe. Garnder earned her fourth RBI of the day with a home run to left to give the Wolverines a 3-0 lead. UVU added two more runs on a home run by Amanda Perez to end the first inning with a 5-0 lead.

The Aggies got two runs back in the top of the third inning. Senior Nicole (Rupp) Tindall reached on an error. Kaneshiro brought Tindall home with a home run to left center. It was her team-leading sixth home run of the season and cut the lead to 5-2.

Utah Valley added a quartet of runs in the bottom of the third and four more in the bottom of the fifth to end the game. The runs scored in the bottom of the third inning were highlighted by a three-run home run by Woodworth. The runs in the bottom of the fifth inning came via a grand slam by Amber Sackett.

Mandy Harmon took the loss in game two and falls to 5-6 this season. Kyli Flanary earned the win and improved to 6-6. Utah State remains on the road to take on BYU on Wednesday, March 31. The first game of the doubleheader will be shown live on BYU-TV at 3 p.m. Utah State will then host Nevada in its WAC home opener Friday-Saturday, April 2-3 at LaRee and LeGrand Softball Field.