University of Washington
39-15, 10-11-0
Utah
34-16, 12-10-0
Huskies Fall In Series Opener At Utah
May 08, 2015 | Softball
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Despite Washington getting base runners aboard in each of the five innings, it was Utah who took control of the series first game with a six-run second inning en route to a 12-1 (5) win over the Huskies.
The Huskies drop to 39-15 overall and 10-11 in Pac-12 play following the game, while Utah improves to 34-16 and 12-10 in conference play.
Senior Kylee Lahners led off the contest with a bloop single into left and advanced into scoring position off an infield groundout, however the Huskies were unable to bring her around and Utah used their hot bats to take control of the game from there. One out into the bottom of the first, the Utes hit back-to-back singles and a walk loaded the bases before a bases clearing triple gave the home team a 3-0 advantage.
Utah added six runs in the bottom of the second. After reaching base on an error, the Utes hit a single up the middle to put a pair on. A bunt then moved the runners up a bag and the pair scored off a double. With one-out and a runner at second, junior Hailey Bator came on in relief of Washington's starter sophomore Casey Stangel. A pair of wild pitches then scored a run and with runners on the corners, a double and a single scored three more as Utah held a 9-0 lead through two innings.
The Huskies got on the board in the top of the third after junior Jennie McNeill led off with a double and advanced off a wild pitch. After Lahners drew a walk, McNeill scored off freshman Taylor Van Zee's sac-fly.
Freshman Kristin Cochran entered the circle for Washington to start the bottom of the third. Utah drew a walk and reached on an error to start the inning. A single through the right side then scored the pair and the runner advanced to third off the throw. Another single scored her and the Utes held a 12-1 lead heading to the fourth frame.
After a scoreless fourth, the Huskies threatened in the top of the fifth. Pinch hitter freshman Julia DePonte singled through the infield and McNeill recorded her second hit of the night, a single to put a pair on with no outs. However, a turned double play and a ground out ended it and Utah won the first game of the series via run-rule, 12-1.
Washington and Utah will play game two tomorrow (May 8). First pitch is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. PT and will air live on Pac-12 Networks.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Donovan (16-7)
L: Stangel, Casey (9-4)
Batting:
2B: McNeill, Jennie 1
RBI: Van Zee, Taylor 1
SF: Van Zee, Taylor 1
Base Running:
RUNS: McNeill, Jennie 1
PO: Aubert, Krystal 1
Batting:
2B: Dickman 1 ; Woodard 1
3B: Castro 1
RBI: Dickman 3 ; Bowen 1 ; Castro 3 ; Woodard 2 ; Secaira 1
SH: Flippen 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Flippen 1 ; Dickman 3 ; Bowen 2 ; Stewart 2 ; Woodard 1 ; Pacheco 1 ; Urtez 2
SB: Dickman 1
