Utah softball dropped both games of its doubleheader to South Florida on Wednesday in Tampa, Fla. The Utes couldn’t hang on in the first game, falling 6-1 to the Bulls, and couldn’t muster up any motivation for the second game either, losing by way of mercy rule, 9-1.
Katie Donovan got the start in the first game, giving up six runs (five of them earned), to halt her winning streak at six games.
After Hannah Flippen crossed the plate on an error by USF to open up scoring, the Bulls responded in their half of the inning, scoring two. USF tacked on another run in the third when Mia Fung hit a solo shot to make it 3-1. The Bulls scored one in the fifth and two in the sixth to make the final score 6-1. Cheyenne Eggens got the win, improving her record to 6-0.
The second game was more of the same for the Utes. Freshman pitcher Hailey Hilburn started and was handed her first loss, putting her record at 3-1. USF started things off early yet again, scoring two in the first frame. The Bulls added to their lead in the third, scoring on an error by freshman Ally Dickman. After both teams were held scoreless through the fifth, Utah scored its first, and only, run when Flippen again crossed home on a USF error to cut the Bulls’ lead to 3-1.
USF exploded in the sixth inning for six runs, giving the Bulls a 9-1 lead. USF had two runners on base and one out when the game was called due to the mercy rule.
Utah now heads to UCF in Orlando for five games in three days at the UCF Spring Fling, where the focus will be on bouncing back from the losses in Tampa.
“We believe in one another, and we know what we are capable of. We are looking forward to getting back on the field this weekend,” Donovan said.
Teammate Kristen Stewart echoed those sentiments, and is excited to get back on the diamond.
“We can work on some little things to clean it up. We will be eager to get back out there,” Stewart said.
On Friday, Utah starts the tournament with Indiana State. Brooke Riemenschneid leads Indiana State on offense, batting .481 with 13 hits, six doubles and seven RBIs. The Sycamores have only used two pitchers so far this season — Abby Klopp is 2-4 with a 2.27 ERA, and Bailey Benefiel is 1-5 with a 9.52 ERA.
Utah continues play on Friday with host UCF, who holds a record of 15-8. The Knights, 11-2 at home, start their day with Utah, and they will have the advantage of being rested, while Utah will be playing its second game of the day. Jessica Ujvari is an offensive powerhouse for UCF, batting .388 with four home runs, six doubles, a triple and 15 RBIs.
Shelby Turnier, the Knights’ go-to pitcher, has a 2.78 ERA and a 7-8 record. Manami Calixto is the second option for UCF, with a 3.12 ERA and a 4-0 record.
On Saturday, Utah starts early with Florida Gulf Coast. The Eagles are 12-8, looking for an upset of the Utes. Racquel Fournet is FGCU’s leading batter, hitting .460 with 21 RBIs and three home runs. On the defensive side of the ball, Riley Randolph is the Eagles’ ace with a 1.58 ERA and a 4-2 record. Utah could also see Ashley Dobson, who has a 2.60 ERA and a 3-2 record.
Utah closes out the tournament with Purdue, playing the Boilermakers Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Purdue is 12-7 this season, led on offense by Katie Harrison, who has a .389 batting average with four home runs and 13 RBIs. On the mound for Purdue, the Utes will likely see Lilly Fecho, 9-3 with a 2.04 ERA, and Maddie Damon, 3-3 with a 4.15 ERA.
First pitch against Indiana State is scheduled for 10 a.m. ET.
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