Following a difficult Fresno State Kickoff Classic, the University of Utah softball team (4-12, 0-0 Big 12) looked to turn their fortunes around in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. Over the three-day span in California, the Utes took on five different opponents, including two nationally ranked teams.
Friday
The Utes opened the event with a match-up against the No. 19 Oregon Ducks, one of Utah’s former Pac-12 rivals. In the match, the Ducks got off to a hot start, scoring the two runs in the first three innings.
Down two, the Utes looked to build momentum and get on the board themselves. In the bottom of the third, a Utah walk and a double for Sianni Sakai gave the Utes solid positioning. With runners at first and third with no outs, the Ducks brought in a new pitcher in an effort to slow Utah down.
Slow down the Utes they did, as Oregon earned three quick outs, along with two strikeouts, to close the inning. The Duck defense continued to stand their ground, only allowing a single hit in the remaining innings. With the final outs to close the seventh inning, the Ducks stood victorious, 2-0.
The Utes’ day did not end there, though, as they returned to the field Friday night to take on Long Beach State. Scoring opened in the top of the first inning, with an RBI single for Long Beach State giving them the 1-0 lead.
The Utes responded to the Beach’s mark, scoring a run of their own on an RBI single from Kaylah Nelsen in the third. Utah’s defense made its mark in the fourth inning, closing the frame with three foul fly-outs. Despite this, the Long Beach State offense found its spark once again in the fifth.
With four hits in the inning for the California school, they earned two runs, regaining the lead, 3-1. Now down, Utah looked for a late rally to get back in the game. Despite the Utes’ intentions though, they were unable to collect a hit in the remaining frames. As a result, Utah ultimately fell short in the match, losing their second game of the day, 3-1.
Saturday
Utah played its third game of the event Saturday afternoon against Cal State Fullerton in what was to be a high-scoring affair. The Utes got off to an explosive start in the first inning. Three RBI singles for the Utes and a bases-loaded walk gave Utah the early 4-0 lead.
The Titans were able to tack on two runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, halving the Utah advantage. Then, in the second inning, Cal State Fullerton scored two more runs on an RBI single and a wild pitch, tying the match. Later, scoring in their third straight inning, another RBI single gave the Titans the one run lead.
The Utes were quick to respond though, scoring two runs in the top of the fourth to regain the lead. A sacrifice fly in the fourth continued the Titans’ scoring streak, once again matching the Utes.
Strong defensive showings from both teams led to a tied match in the bottom of the seventh. There, the Titans found themselves with an excellent scoring opportunity and a walk-off fielder’s choice earned the game for Cal State Fullerton, 7-6.
The Utes’ Saturday continued with an evening-match against the Northwestern Wildcats. The game started with six scoreless half-innings, with only two total hits occurring for both teams. Eventually, the Wildcats broke the draw, scoring the first run of the match on an Utah fielding error.
Despite the mistake, Utah regained themselves, tying the match with an RBI single from Sakai. In the sixth inning, Northwestern’s offense caught fire, having little mercy for the Utah team. Four hits in combination with two Utah errors allowed the Wildcats to earn five RBI.
Down to their last three outs, the Utes looked to complete a miraculous comeback in the bottom of the seventh. Sadly, the comeback was not to be, as two ground-outs and a pop-fly out ended the game with a Wildcat victory, 6-1.
Sunday
With one-game remaining in the event for the Utes to break their losing streak, they faced off against the No. 15 Nebraska Cornhuskers. Despite being the underdogs, Utah was able to open the scoring early. In the bottom of the first, an RBI double for Kennedy Proctor gave the Utes the 2-0 advantage.
The Ute lead was short-lived, though, as the cornhuskers went on to score four runs in the second inning, gaining a two-run lead. Nebraska’s strong offensive play continued in the fourth inning, as they tacked on another four runs to their lead.
A pitching change for the Utes in the top of the fifth placed Hailey Maestretti on the mound. Despite the switch-up, the Cornhuskers were not to be stopped. An RBI single and an RBI double expanded the Nebraska lead by two.
Despite a hit from Hailee White in the bottom of the fifth, the Utes were unable to respond. As a result, the game was called due to the run-rule, as the Cornhuskers were up eight runs after five innings. The 10-2 loss forced the Utes to leave California winless in the event.
Up Next
With the disappointing performance in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, the Utes’ losing streak is now extended to nine straight games. Utah’s next opportunity to break the streak will come this weekend, with their participation in the Judi Garman Classic. The first game of the event versus Louisiana State will begin at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Feb. 28.
