Following a disappointing, winless performance in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic, the University of Utah softball team (6-15, 0-0 Big 12) traveled to Fullerton, California to participate in the Judi Garman Classic. Desperate to turn their luck around and break their nine-game losing streak, the Utes prepared for a tough weekend, which included three games versus nationally ranked opponents.
Friday
The Utes opened the event against the No. 5 Louisiana State University Tigers early Friday morning. Despite the differences in team success, the two engaged in a fairly-balanced battle. Hailey Maestretti was the starting pitcher for the Utes and would go on to pitch a complete game.
A Hailey Deter single in the top of the first gave the Utes their first hit of the game, but they were unable to take advantage of the situation. The Tigers responded with a hit of their own in the bottom of the frame but similarly were unable to score.
From there, the defense stole the show for both teams. Maestretti and the Utah fielders held LSU to a mere three hits in the game’s first five innings. Despite the defensive showing, the Tigers finally opened the scoring in the bottom of the sixth.
An RBI double and a run scored on a throwing error gave LSU the two-run lead, leaving the Utes to their final three outs to surmount a comeback. The inning started out promising for Utah, earning a walk with no outs. The Utes were not able to capitalize on the situation though, ultimately dropping the game, 2-0.
Utah’s Friday continued with an afternoon match with the No. 4 UCLA Bruins. While the Utes were able to remain optimistically close to the Tigers, the trend did not continue into their second game of the day.
The Bruins opened the scoring immediately, earning four runs in the top of the first. Keeping the Utes scoreless and tacking on three more runs in the second, UCLA expanded their lead to seven runs. A fielder’s-choice RBI earned the first run of the game for Utah in the bottom of the frame.
The Utes were able to cut the Bruin lead by three, with RBIs from Rio Mendez and Shonty Passi. Then, an offensive onslaught for UCLA in the top of the sixth diminished the Utes’ hopes for victories. The Bruins scored nine runs in the frame, giving them the 12-run lead. With a scoreless bottom of the sixth, the game was called early, giving UCLA the win, 16-4.
Saturday
Heading into their match-up with the No. 23 San Diego State Aztecs carrying an 11-game losing streak, the Utes looked to finally get back in the win column. With Maestretti starting for the second time in the event, she went on to dominate in the match-up.
Maestretti pitched a second complete game, accumulating five strikeouts, walking one batter, and only allowing four hits. With such a defensive advantage, the Utes were in a prime position to break the streak.
While the defense dominated, the Utah offense was slow to find its stride. The Utes were held to a lowly two hits in the first five innings. Despite the offensive struggles though, a wild pitch allowed Sianni Sakai to score the first run of the game. The run turned out to be the decider, giving Utah the victory, 1-0.
Utah looked to carry their newfound success into their Saturday night match-up with Cal State Fullerton. The Utes entered the match with enormous momentum, establishing themselves with an offensively terrific first inning.
Two hits and two walks for Utah set up Emily Capobianco’s early grand slam, giving the Utes the 4-0 lead. The Titans earned a run in the bottom of the frame on a sacrifice fly, bringing them within three of the Utah lead. Reese Lee quickly undid the Titans’ work, though, homering in the first at-bat of the second inning.
Another run for Cal State Fullerton in the bottom of the second proceeded two scoreless innings. Utah extended their lead by three with a two-run RBI single and scoring on a wild pitch in the fifth inning. An RBI triple for Jolie Mayfield in the sixth and an RBI double for Kennedy Proctor in the seventh sealed the 10-2 victory for Utah.
Sunday
After winning out on Saturday, the Utes took on in-state rival Weber State to close out the event. The Wildcats came out firing, with a home run in the first giving them the tentative lead. Utah was sure to respond, though, stealing two bases and scoring two runs in the bottom half of the first.
From there, the Utes expanded their lead with a home run from Mayfield in the fourth inning. Desperate to respond, Weber State earned three runs in the fifth and sixth innings, both via RBI doubles. Now down one, a clutch homer for Sakai tied the game once again.
With a scoreless seventh inning, the match was forced into extras. The Wildcats opened the additional frames strong, with a two-run home run giving Weber State the early lead. The Utes were unable to respond in the bottom of the eight, leading to their demise, 6-4.
Up Next
After breaking their losing streak, the Utes anticipate their participation in the Boise State Tournament. The six-game event will be Utah’s last before the opening of Big-12 play. The first game of the tournament will match the Utes up against the Idaho State Bengals on Friday afternoon.
