Following their second conference-play series victory of the year, the University of Utah softball team (12-27, 4-8 Big 12) took to the road over the weekend. Over the three-day span, which included a Friday doubleheader, the Utes engaged in battle with the No. 14 Texas Tech Red Raiders. The three-game series made for a promising opportunity for Utah to break 0.500 in conference play.
Friday
The first game of the series, held on Friday afternoon, got off to a hot start. The Utes quickly opened the scoring, breaking the draw in the top of the first inning. A two-out home-run for Emily Capobianco gave Utah the early one-run advantage.
Despite the quick start for the Utes, it did not take long for the Red Raiders to respond. In the bottom of the first, back-to-back RBI singles claimed the lead for Texas Tech. Then, with a run scoring while the Utes caught a Red Raider stealing second-base, the Texas Tech lead moved to two runs.
After a hitless second-inning for both teams, the Red Raiders further expanded their advantage in the bottom of the third, scoring on a wild pitch. Later, in the fourth inning, a two home-run frame resulted in three runs scored for Texas Tech, giving them the six-run lead.
Desperate for some late-offense, the Utes looked to rally in the top of the fifth. Despite their aspirations, the team went three-up, three-down, closing-out the frame. In the bottom of the inning, two RBI-singles expanded the Texas Tech lead to eight runs, forcing the run-rule to be enacted, thus ending the game.
In the 9-1 loss, the Utah offense left with three hits, one walk, and six strike-outs. Brooklyn Carreon, who pitched 3.2 innings with a total of 55 pitches, was given the loss, moving her record to 3-6 on the year.
Returning to the field, the Utes looked to flip the momentum and return to the win column in the second match of the doubleheader. In contrast to the first game, the later match-up saw early defense take the spotlight.
With Hailey Maestretti in the pitching-circle for the Utes, they held the Red Raiders to two hits in the first two innings. The scoring broke open in the bottom of the third, though, as an RBI single for Texas Tech drove in the first run of the game.
After keeping Utah scoreless, the Red Raiders’ offensive momentum carried over into the bottom of the fourth. There, a two-out single down the left-field line brought in another run. With a two-run advantage, Texas Tech looked to continue to dampen the Ute offense.
The Red Raiders pitched back-to-back hitless innings in the fifth and sixth, denying Utah the opportunity to get on the board. Then, in the bottom of the sixth, Texas Tech tacked on their third run of the game thanks to a late home-run.
With the Utes down to their last three outs, their hopes for a late rally slowly diminished. Texas Tech went on to pitch yet another hitless inning, closing out the game. With the 3-0 loss, the Utes looked to bounce back on Sunday in order to prevent the series sweep.
Sunday
Utah opened the third game of the series in dominating fashion. The Utes were quick to produce in the first inning, with back-to-back singles earning a runner in scoring position. With Kennedy Proctor up to bat, a three-run homer to right-center field gave the Utes the early lead. Later, Shonty Passi hit the Utes’ second homer of the frame, bringing their total to four runs.
The Red Raiders dented the Utah advantage in the bottom of the first, as an RBI single brought the Texas Tech team within three. Later, the Utes’ defense stranded two Red Raider runners in the bottom of the second.
From there, strong-defense prevailed with both teams only earning two hits over the next two-and-a-half innings. Among two of these frames, the Utes were held hitless, unable to add to their lead. Finally, in the bottom of the fifth inning, the Red Raiders broke the scoring stalemate.
Five hits, including three RBI singles, for the Texas Tech offense scored a total of four runs in the inning. As a result, the Red Raiders quickly took the lead, forcing the Utes into a pitching-change.
Utah’s offense fell short of responding in the top of the sixth, leaving one runner left on base. In the bottom of the frame, a two-run home-run for Texas Tech expanded their lead to three-runs.
Heading into the seventh, the Utes were once again down to their last three outs. Their comeback-hopes faulted, as the team went three-up, three-down, sealing the 7-4 loss. With the result, the nationally ranked Red Raiders swept the series.
Up Next
This week, the Utes return to Salt Lake City to start a four-game home stand. Over the weekend, Utah will face-off against the Arizona State Sun Devils in a three-game series. Later, the Utes will welcome the Weber State Wildcats to Dumke Softball Stadium for a single game.
