Box Score SEATTLE – The sixth-seeded Washington Huskies (47-11) defeated the No. 11 Utah Utes (36-15),10-4, Friday night during game one of the NCAA Super Regionals at Husky Softball Stadium.
Morganne Flores blasted two homers over left field, a three-run home run and a grand slam, totaling seven RBIs, finishing one RBI shy of tying the program's record.
Flores,
Ali Aguilar,
Sis Bates and
Casey Stangel all reached base safely their first three times through order over the first four innings, combining for seven hits, five walks and eight runs.
Taylor Van Zee homered late in the game to give the Huskies double-digit runs. The home run marked her seventh of the season.
Taran Alvelo (31-6) tossed a complete game for the Dawgs, giving up only four hits to the Utes.
The Huskies took an early lead after scoring four runs in the bottom of the first inning. Lead-off hitter Aguilar drew a walk off Utah's starting pitcher Miranda Viramontes (14-4). Bates and Stangel both singled, allowing Aguilar to score. Flores followed with her first homer of the night, clearing the bases and extending the lead to 4-0.
The second inning brought in one more run for Washington after Aguilar was walked once again, followed by back-to-back singles from Bates and Stangel, plating Aguilar.
Utah cut into the Huskies' 5-0 lead in the fourth inning after a three run home run from Kelly Martinez.
Ahead by only two runs heading into the bottom of the fourth, the top of Washington's lineup once again got on base with an Aguilar double and two walks to Bates and Stangel to load the bases. Flores hit her second home run, a grand slam, to extend the lead to 9-3.
Van Zee homered in the bottom of the sixth inning, to give the Purple and Gold 10 runs to Utah's three.
The Utes were able to push one more run in on a fielder's choice RBI from BreOnna Castaneda in the seventh, but Alvelo got Flippen to fly out to end the game and give the Huskies a 1-0 advantage in the best of three series.
Washington looks to become Super Regional Champions tomorrow with game two starting at 6 p.m. PT. The game against Utah will be aired live on ESPN2 and the WatchESPN app.
