Last week, the University of Utah softball team (12-36, 4-16 Big 12) took on two in-state rivals, Weber State and BYU. The set of games started with a single match against the Wildcats at home on Tuesday. Then, the Utes traveled south to Provo to battle the Cougars over a three-game series.
Tuesday
The Utes had pitcher Shelbee Jones starting in the pitching circle for Tuesday night’s skirmish with Weber State. The Wildcats’ offense got off to a hot-start, generating instantaneous momentum in the top of the first.
With an RBI double in the opening frame, Weber State quickly took the one-run advantage. After two scoreless innings, the Wildcats returned to their scoring ways in the fourth inning. Scoring on a passed ball, Weber State doubled their lead.
From there, defense once again took the spotlight, as both teams put up a scoreless fifth inning. The Weber State offense did not hold back in the sixth inning, though, as they continued to add to their lead. Another passed ball allowed for the third Wildcat run of the game to score.
Then, with runners on second and third, a Wildcat single to left-field extended their lead to five. Down to their final six outs, the Utes looked to rally late and get back in the game. Despite their motivations, the Utes stranded four runners in the final two innings, unable to score a run and ultimately losing the game, 6-0.
Thursday
Thursday’s match to open the BYU series turned out to be quite the high scoring affair. The Utes opened the scoring almost immediately, with an RBI double for Emily Capobianco scoring two runs. The Cougars quickly responded, scoring three runs of their own with a homer in the bottom of the first.
In the second inning, a single down the left field line for Hailee White allowed Sianni Sakai to score, tying the match. An RBI single for the Cougars matched Utah’s score, reestablishing their lead. Later, in the third inning, the Utes’ offense continued to produce.
Scoring runs on a foul fly-out, a two-RBI double, and a two-run home run, the Utes closed out their five-run inning. Two RBI singles from BYU in the bottom of the inning brought the Cougars within one run of the Utah advantage.
While a scoreless fourth inning broke the trend of the match, the teams’ offenses returned to their scoring ways in the fifth. The Utes extended their lead in the inning, despite not earning a hit. Then, a three-run homer from Shonty Passi and a home run from White moved the Utah lead to 13 runs.
Despite the massive deficit, the Cougars managed to cut into the Utah lead. Three BYU home runs in the final two innings, resulting in six total RBIs, knotted the score. With the Utes unable to capitalize in extra innings, the Cougars were given the opportunity to win the game. Ultimately, an unearned run gave BYU the lead in the eighth inning, sealing their victory, 14-13.
Friday
After the disappointing loss the day before, Utah returned to the field on Friday looking to redeem themselves. Once again, the Utes got off to a hot start, as a two RBI single for Capobianco gave Utah the early two-run lead in the first inning.
BYU halved the Utah advantage, scoring on an RBI single of their own in the bottom of the frame. From there, defense stole the show. The Utes were held hitless over the following two innings, unable to add to their lead.
The Utes had promising developments in the fourth inning with three runners on base. Despite the promising scenario, Utah was unable to bring in a run. With one total hit over the next two innings and no runs scored, the teams headed into the seventh inning with the score still stuck at 2-1.
Offensive developments for the Utes allowed them to get back to scoring in the top of the seventh. Scoring on a wild pitch and a sac-fly, Utah extended their lead to three. Then, with an RBI triple for Sakai, an RBI single for Kendall Lundberg, a run scored on another wild pitch, and an RBI double for Kayla Lyon, the Ute lead moved to seven.
With the Cougars down to their last three outs, Utah looked to shut the door. They were unable to do so, though, as the Cougars miraculously scored seven runs to tie the game once again. Then, with runners on first and third, a walk-off three-run homer for BYU clinched the series victory with a final score of 10-8.
Saturday
The Utes looked to avoid the series sweep in the final game against BYU on Saturday. Utah once again opened the scoring in the first inning thanks to an RBI single from Passi. BYU answered, drawing the game with an RBI double in the bottom of the inning.
A scoreless second inning made way to a three-run home run for Capobianco in the third inning. BYU’s offense found its stride in the bottom of the third, though, scoring nine runs. Among these nine runs, six were earned via home runs.
Both teams were hitless in the fourth inning, but Utah returned to scoring in the fifth. A defensive error on a pick off throw by BYU allowed Marley Espiau to score, cutting the Cougars’ lead to five.
Later, BYU tacked on two more runs to their lead in the bottom of the frame. Then, in the sixth inning, a walk off two-run homer for BYU enacted the run rule, ending the game early. The Utes left Provo suffering the 14-5 loss and the series sweep.
Up Next
The Utes will return to Dumke Family Softball Stadium this weekend as they take on the Iowa State Cyclones. Utah will look to snap their 11-game losing streak in the series and find their way back into the win column. Each of the series’ three games will be broadcast via ESPN+.
