Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
UC Riverside
Wildcat softball drops heart-breaker to Riverside
2/24/2013 12:55:00 AM | Softball
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - The Wildcats came up just short in their quest of their first win of the season at the Amy S. Harrison Classic.
Sophomore catcher Janel Cunningham was 2-for-3 with two RBIs as the Weber State University softball team surged out to an early lead, before suffering a tough 4-3 decision to tournament host UC Riverside at Amy S. Harrison Field.
Sophomore first baseman Stephanie Mathias and freshman third baseman Alyson Kulp each had two hits as the Wildcats pounded out a season-high eight hit. Freshman Krystin Kubo and senior London Clarke each had singles for Weber State (0-8).
Kulp started things out for the Wildcats in the first inning, getting a single and then advancing to second as junior shortstop Brooke Silva got reached on a fielder's choice.
Kulp and Silva each stole a base to move to third and second, respectively and then scored when Cunningham hit a two-run single up the middle.
The Highlanders made it 2-1 in the bottom of the third, and then scored three runs in the fifth to make it 4-2.
Cunningham singled to start off the sixth, followed by singles from Kubo and Mathias to load the bases, with freshman Dusti Blair - who pinch ran for Cunningham - scoring to make it 4-3 on a wild pitch. The Wildcats' offense, however, stalled with the next two batters grounding out, before Clarke was hit by a pitch, loading the bases, but the next batter struck out to end the inning.
After holding Riverside in the bottom of the sixth, Kulp singled to lead off the seventh, putting the tying run on base, but the Wildcats had two flyouts and a strikeout.
Weber State led eight runners on base, including four in scoring position.
The Wildcats will wrap up the Harrison Classic on Sunday with a 12:30 p.m. rematch with UC Riverside (3-9).
