Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
Idaho State
'Cats get first shutout, split with Bengals
4/23/2011 11:53:00 PM | Softball
CHUBBUCK, Idaho -- The Weber State University softball team threw 12 consecutive shutout innings, earning a split on Saturday afternoon and avoided a series sweep by rival Idaho State.
Weber State dropped the opening game of the day 8-5 after falling behind 8-0 in the first two innings, but strong pitching and defense carried the team to a 1-0 win in the series' endcap at Capell Park.
The shutout is the Wildcats first since restarting the softball program last year as Kelsie Vallies earned her second win of the year by scattering two hits with seven strikeouts while facing 24 batters. Britinie Hardine earned her third save of the year over the final two-thirds inning.
Sarah Clark brought Erika James across the plate in the fifth inning for the only run of the game. James had three stolen bases in the game, giving her 33 for the season, moving from first to second and second to third just prior to Clark's two-out RBI single to left field.
Clark finished with two of the Wildcats' four hits in the game, as well as pitching five scoreless innings in the first game of the day.
In the opening game of the day, Idaho State jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first inning and went ahead 8-0 in the second. Weber State tried to rally, scoring three in the third and two in the fifth to cut the deficit to 8-5, but wasn't able to get any closer.
Lyndsey Minnich went 3-of-3 with two RBIs and a run scored in the game, while Symbree Minniear had a two-run triple and also scored a run.
Weber State (10-30, 3-9 Pacific Coast) will step out of PCSC play one last time this week to host in-state rival Southern Utah on Wednesday at Wildcat Softball Field for a doubleheader, beginning at 3 p.m. Following the two-game series with the Thunderbirds, the Wildcats will wrap up the home portion of their 2011 season with four-game PCSC series against in-state rival Utah Valley.
