Following their participation in the Black and Orange Classic, the University of Utah softball team (8-22, 0-3 Big 12) took to the road to face the No. 11 Arizona Wildcats. The three-game series marked the Utes’ first of Big 12 conference play, where Utah looks to turn their season around.
Game One
The first game of the series came on Friday afternoon, as the Utes hoped to start their Big 12 membership on a high-note. Utah opened the match with an early hit from Kaylah Nelsen in the first inning. Despite the opportunity, the Utes were unable to capitalize on the quick hit, leaving the inning scoreless.
The Wildcat offense found its stride in the second inning, putting up a notable performance. An RBI double scored the first run of the game for the Arizona team. Then, a two-run home-run quickly extended the Wildcat lead to three.
Facing the deficit, the Utes looked to respond in the top of the third. Utah went three-up, three-down in the frame, with each batter only seeing two pitches each. Arizona went on to continue their offensive dominance in the bottom of the third.
An early bunt-single earned a runner for the Wildcats with no outs. Then, another home-run extended the Arizona lead to five. In a deja-vu like situation, another Arizona single made way for another two-run homer, the Wildcats’ third of the day.
Despite the Utes’ comeback aspirations, they left the top of the fourth with a single hit and no runs. In the bottom of the frame, a fourth Wildcat home-run extended the lead to eight runs. With the Utes going hitless in the top of the fifth and the run-rule conditions met, the game was called, 8-0.
Game Two
After the blowout loss, the Utes returned to the field on Saturday for the second match-up of the series. The Wildcats’ momentum from the previous game carried over into the early innings of the second game. Three hits in the first inning and two RBIs gave the Arizona team the lead.
The Utes were quick to respond, though, with an RBI single from Sianni Sakai scoring Reese Lee to cut the Arizona lead in half. The Wildcats did not let up in the bottom of the second, scoring a run with no outs on an errant throw. Later, an RBI double and a sacrifice fly brought in two more runs for Arizona, bringing their lead to four.
Utah answered the Arizona offense with a one-out homer from Jolie Mayfield in the top of the third. Despite the quick run, the Utes were unable to further cut into the Wildcat lead. Arizona went on to negate the Utah run in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI, re-establishing their four-run lead.
In the fifth inning, the Wildcats made the most of the Utes’ errors, bringing runs in on a fielding error and wild pitch, respectively. Down six, the Utes looked for a late rally effort to bring them back into the game.
With three Ute batters getting on base via a single, a fielding error, and a walk, Utah found themselves with a prime opportunity in the sixth inning. Mayfield came up to the plate with the bases loaded and two outs, where she hit her second home run of the game, a grand slam.
Despite the four-run inning, the Utes were unable to complete the comeback. A hitless seventh inning sealed the deal, as Utah lost their second game of the series, 8-6.
Game Three
Heading into the third and final game of the series, Utah looked to prevent the series sweep. The game started off with a strong defensive showing, with both teams going hitless in the first inning.
It wouldn’t be until the bottom of the third inning when the scoreless tie was broken. A lead-off single and a stolen base placed a runner in scoring position for the Wildcats. Then, an Arizona RBI single gave the Wildcats the 1-0 lead.
Utah found themselves with a great scoring opportunity in the bottom of the fourth, having runners on second and third with only a single out. Despite the chance, a double play quickly diminished the Utes’ scoring wishes.
Arizona further expanded their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, with a walk setting up a two-run home run for the Wildcats. From here, strong defensive play kept the game scoreless for both teams.
The Utes had a productive, three-hit sixth inning but were unable to get on the board. With a fly-out to center field earning the last out of the game, the Wildcats earned the series sweep with the 3-0 victory.
Up Next
With the conclusion of the Utes’ first Big 12 series, Utah looks to get back on the right foot. The Utes will return to Salt Lake City this week, playing their home opener on Thursday against Saint Mary’s. Then, Utah will face off against the Kansas Jayhawks over the weekend in their second conference series.
