Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Utah
Utes Pull Two Out Against 'Cats
4/3/2010 3:30:00 AM | Softball
OGDEN, Utah -- Britinie Hardine led off the new home era of Wildcat softball with a home run, but Utah rallied for a 2-1 extra innings win in game one and then completed the sweep of Weber State with a 10-4 win in game two at Wildcat Softball Field on Friday afternoon.
"The first game was the best we've played in all aspects," said WSU head coach Tina Johnson. "Defense and pitching, by far. Hitting, we were just right there. It just comes down to getting those hits when we need them. It's about timing those hits."
After Ariel Whiteman retired the side in order to start off game one, Hardine ripped a 3-2 pitch by Ashley Smuda over the left field wall to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.
"That was really exciting," said Hardine. "I'm just glad that our team came out strong and that I was there to support them."
Whiteman would hold the Utes scoreless for four innings, before the Utes scratched out the tying run in the fifth. The game remained tied 1-1 after seven innings, but Kelsi Hoopiiaina gave the Utes the game-winning RBI with a home run in the first extra frame.
The Wildcats nearly pulled off a rally in the bottom half of the eighth, as Genasee Aman got things going with a two-out single to center. Marqi Gray then singled to right, moving Aman into scoring position, but Utah's Joni Cook got Brandi Christopher to pop up for the final out.
The Wildcats played an outstanding game for their first home appearance, with the lone flaw coming in the form of 11 stranded runners.
"They have a kid on the mound, who's got a lot of experience behind her," said Johnson.
"She's going to bear down and make it really tough for our kids to be
successful. Our kids realize that and they're going to win that battle
eventually. Right now, we're just not winning it."
Whiteman went the distance for the 'Cats in the opener, scattering eight hits, walking none and allowing only a pair of runs.
In game two, Utah turned the tables on the Wildcats, as Kara Foster blasted a solo shot to lead off the second inning, giving the Utes a quick 1-0 lead.
In the fourth inning, Foster made it 2-0 Utah with an RBI double to centerfield that just missed going out. The Utes would tack on another two runs in the frame to lead 4-0.
In the bottom of the fourth, Whiteman started a rally for the Wildcats with a leadoff single, and Christopher drove home Aubri Chiquete to cut the lead to 4-1.
Both teams pushed across a single run in the fifth. Linnea Ketcher singled with one out for the Wildcats, stole second and eventually came around to score on a pair of wild pitches by Cook.
The two teams again matched runs in the fifth, this time scoring a pair each. Hardine supplied the big hit for the Wildcats with a two-RBI double, driving home Christopher and Angela DeVries.
"I think every time they got some runs on the board, we were able to answer," said Johnson. "It took us a little while to get started, but we came back and answered when we needed to. It just comes down to us needing to get those bigger hits."
The Utes put the game away with three runs in the top of the seventh. A double play ended a would-be Wildcat rally in the bottom of the frame, after Heather Jackson and Whiteman led off with back-to-back singles.
The Wildcats fell to 0-28 on the season as they chase the first win since reviving the program at Weber State. Utah moved to 16-17 with the two wins.
"Experience will really help us a ton," said Johnson. "They (Utah) do have the experience, and they have the leadership. We're getting more of the leadership that we need as time goes on. Our kids are starting to step up, we're starting to gel as a team. They're starting to get it. It's just going to come with time."
