Softball sweeps day one at Utah Tech Tournament

St. George, UT - Weber State softball opened up the Utah Tech Tournament with a win over the Aggies, 5-4, and the Trailblazers 10-9 (9 Inn.). Today's triumph improves Weber State to 5-7 overall on the season.

Game One - Weber State: 5 Utah State: 4

The Wildcats got on the board first when Sammy Gallegos singled to second base in the bottom of the second, advancing Eva Richardson and allowing Abby Grundy to find home plate.
Shortly after, a Mia Rushton single to left field brought Richardson home. The Wildcats led over the Aggies 2-0.
Utah State threatened in the top of the third and was able to take the lead in the game 3-2 after a home run by Ariel Fifita, bringing in two RBI and a double to left center allowing a third Aggie to find home plate.
To close out the top of the third, Utah State's Alex Bunton scored on a passed ball and the Aggies led 4-2.
The Wildcats quickly took back that lead 5-4 in the bottom of the third.
Weber State stood their ground and held Utah State scoreless to the seventh inning. Wildcats secured their first win of the Utah Tech Tournament and first win of the season over the Aggies, 5-4.
Pitcher Brooke Merrill took the win for Weber State. Pitching 4.2 innings with one hit and four strikeouts.
Taegan Smith went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Wildcats, while Gallegos went 1-for-3 with two RBI.

Game Two - Weber State: 10 Utah Tech: 9 (9 Inn.)

With momentum still in the Wildcat's favor from their win over the Aggies, Kiaira Smith hit a home run and brought in two RBI giving the 'Cats an early 2-0 advantage quickly in the top of the first.
Snapping that lead, the Trailblazers found their way onto the board in the bottom of the second with six runs.
Chipping away at the deficit, the Wildcats secured five runs in the top of the fourth and found their way back to lead 7-6 over the Trailblazers.
Another Wildcat home run in the top of the fifth by Olivia Birkinshaw increased the 'Cats lead by two, 8-6.
The back-and-forth battle continued between the two teams up until the final inning. Tied at 9-9 to finish out the seventh inning, the two teams were pushed into extra innings.
For the victory in the ninth, Riley Whalen singled up the middle allowing Mia Rushton to find home plate and secure the win.
Mia Rushton led the way going 1-for-5 with two runs and one RBI.
Brooke Merrill took her second win on the day for Weber State. Pitching 4.1 innings with three hits, one run, and three strikeouts.
Weber State had nine total hits in the game compared to Utah Tech's 11. The Wildcats had zero errors and the Trailblazers had five.

From Head Coach Amicone
"I loved the way we played today! We fought hard and stayed in every situation."
"There were lots of opportunities to get better in all phases of our game. Brooke Merrill was outstanding and Riley Whalen was nails."

Coming Up
The Wildcats return to the diamond on Saturday, Feb. 24 for two more games. The first pitch against Eastern Kentucky is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. The game against Utah State is scheduled for noon. Live stats can be found at WeberStateSports.com. Games against Utah Tech will be on WAC International.

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Team Stats

Taegan Smith

Mia Rushton

Kiaira Smith

Abby Grundy

Players Mentioned

Olivia Birkinshaw

Sammy Gallegos

Abby Grundy

Brooke Merrill

Eva Richardson

Mia Rushton

Kiaira Smith

Taegan Smith

Riley Whalen

Weber State University Athletics