The U softball team went 1-1 against in-state rival Southern Utah yesterday, losing the first game 5-3, but winning the second, 5-2.
The Utes are now 17-31.
The games will not matter in the Mountain West Conference race, since SUU is a non-conference opponent.
In the first game, the Thunderbirds came out roaring, scoring four runs in the first. Another run added in the second was all the Thunderbirds could get, but it was also all they needed.
Heather Bowlin took the loss for the U, making her 9-15 on the season. U coach Mona Stevens is concerned about Bowlin’s recent string of ineffectiveness.
“Heather has just not been throwing well for the last few weeks,” she said. “We’re trying to get it all figured out for her. She came out and gave up four runs on five hits, and that’s just not like her.”
A two-run home run by U third baseman Lyndsey Trevis kept the Utes in the game, but it was not enough.
Salt Lake City native Lacee LePrey pitched the whole game for the T-Birds, recording 9 strikeouts in 24 Utah at-bats.
Stevens said she didn’t know why her team performed the way it did, but she said that regardless of the reason for it, the effort was not what it should have been.
“I don’t know if they [overlooked SUU] or was just flat coming out,” she said. “I don’t think they gave Southern Utah as much credit as they should.”
In the second game, the Utes bounced back with a barrage of hits. Overall, they racked up 11 hits, including one solo home run in the fifth inning by center fielder Molly McLean.
McLean’s homer gave the Utes a 2-1 lead, and gave the momentum back to the Utes.
“I just wasn’t feeling in the groove,” said McLean, “so I got [into the cages] between games and just worked off the tee?It worked. It felt good.”
In the game, Kelsie Lewis got the start at second base, as Michele Larsen was in the dugout.
“I was just excited that I finally got the chance,” Lewis said. “Hopefully I did good and I felt OK. Not my best, but I did OK.”
Despite allowing solo home runs by Crystal Bingham and Precious Gallo, U pitcher Jennifer Pursell kept the T-Birds at bay, allowing only six hits.
Up next for the U is BYU on Saturday, a doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m. at Ute Field.