Weber State University Athletics
Weber State University
0-1
Wisconsin
1-0
Softball opens season, splits doubleheader against Wisconsin and Maine
2/9/2024 2:01:00 PM | Softball
The Wildcats resume tournament play tomorrow, Feb. 10 for a doubleheader against Northwestern and Grand Canyon.
Phoenix, AZ – Weber State softball started its 2024 season Friday morning with a doubleheader against Wisconsin and Maine. The Wildcats fell to the Badgers 8-0, but bounced back with a 10-5 win over the Black Bears.
Game One – Weber State: 0, Wisconsin: 8
- The Badgers started the scoring in the top of the first inning, scoring a single run on a pair of hits.
- In the second, the Badgers found two more runs after Wisconsin's Molly Schlosser doubled to left field for two RBI. The Wildcats stayed scoreless.
- Tori Rey singled to left field in the bottom of the third for the Wildcats' first hit of the game, but was thrown out attempting a steal of second base.
- The Wildcats were in action during the bottom of the fourth. With runners on first and second, Eva Richardson walked, advancing Emma Bingham to second and Taegan Smith to third. However, a ball popped up to second base by Gianna Memoli ended the inning.
- Wisconsin added another two runs in the top of the fifth and secured the victory over Weber State.
- Starting pitcher Brooke Merrill took the loss, pitching four innings for the Wildcats. She allowed six runs in the game with three strikeouts.
Game Two – Weber State: 10, Maine: 5
- The two teams were tied up at 0-0 into the top of the fourth until the Wildcat squad caught fire scoring six runs and taking a 6-0 lead over Maine.
- Sienna Solis drew a bases-loaded walk to put the Wildcats on the scoreboard to start the inning.
- Makayla Donahoo followed the walk with a single, driving home Gianna Memoli.
- Taegan Smith was hit by a pitch to drive in the third run of the inning, and Kiaria Smith followed with a bases clearing double to center to cap off the six-run frame.
- In the fifth inning, the Wildcats recorded another three runs and advanced the score 9-0.
- Sammy Gallegos opened the scoring in the inning, taking home on a double steal to make it 7-0.
- Mia Rushton added an RBI single ahead of a Donahoo RBI double for the team's ninth run of the game.
- Maine found their momentum in the bottom of the fifth scoring five runs. The inning was highlighted by a two-run home run by Anna Margetis.
- In the top of the seventh, Donahoo singled and advanced Mia Rushton which secured another run for the Wildcats and sealed the 10-5 victory.
- Jayci Finch pitched a complete game for the win, allowing five hits and five runs. She finished the game with five strikeouts.
- Kiaira Smith went 3-for-5 at the plate for Weber State with three RBI, while Donahoo recorded four hits in five at-bats with two RBI.
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Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Gabi Salo (1-0)
L: Merrill, Brooke (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Molly Schlosser 1 ; Ellie Hubbard 1
RBI: Molly Schlosser 3 ; Emmy Wells 1 ; Emily Bojan 1 ; Ava Kuszak 1 ; Peyton Bannon 1
SH: Peyton Bannon 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Ellie Hubbard 1 ; Alivia Bark 1 ; Danielle Lucey 2 ; Paige Miller 2 ; Ava Kuszak 2
SB: Danielle Lucey 1 ; Ava Kuszak 1 ; Peyton Bannon 1
HBP: Fiona Girardot 1
Batting:
2B: Grundy, Abby 1
Base Running:
CS: Rey, Victoria 1
