For the fourth consecutive time, the U softball team defeated in-state rival Utah State, winning 6-2 in Logan, Utah, Tuesday afternoon.
Molly McLean led off the game with a base hit, which was followed by another base hit from Masie Ota. Melissa Stahnke then brought them all home with a three-run blast?the seventh time this year she’s homered. After that, the Utes never looked back.
“They swung the bat pretty well and they got a lot of hits. Everybody contributed,” said U coach Mona Stevens. “It was a good all-around barrage.”
The Utes added three more runs in the third inning to cap their scoring.
Overall, the Utes had six runs on nine hits, with no errors and held the Aggies to just two runs on five hits. The Aggies also had two errors.
Heather Bowlin was credited with the win, as she goes to 9 12 on the year. Jennifer Pursell also threw well for the Utes.
The Aggies scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, but that was all they could muster, as the Utes improved to 13-28 on the year. The Aggies fall to 3-29 this season.
The Utes were much more relaxed and ready to play than in games past. The Utes enjoyed not having to get on an airplane or a long bus ride to play.
“From the very beginning, I could tell they were a lot more relaxed and they didn’t feel so much pressure,” Stevens said.
Stevens also praised the play of catcher Christa Pfeninger, who she said took control of the game and “let everyone know who was in charge.
“She called a great game behind the plate and she really did a great job,” Stevens added. “She really had [USU] rattled right out of the chute.”
The Utes will finally get a chance to play on their home field now, with five games this weekend. On Thursday, the Utes will host Pacific at 3 p.m. in their 2002 Ute Field debut.
“Pacific is a great team and is having a great year,” Stevens said, commenting on the caliber of several of Pacific’s players. “They’ve always been a pretty good team, but they’re having a good year this year.”
On Friday and Saturday, the Utes will have doubleheaders against conference foes New Mexico and Colorado State.