# #

Update

Pac-12 Networks programming may be unavailable due to technical maintenance.

Late Rally Comes Up Short for Utah Softball

by Utah Athletics
Apr 3, 2021

SALT LAKE CITY – Three Utah pitchers combined to try to hold No. 14/13 Arizona State in check Saturday but the visiting Sun Devils broke open a scoreless game with three runs over the fourth and fifth innings and went on to claim a 3-1 series-clinching win at Dumke Family Stadium.
 
Catcher Katie Faulk was 2-2 at the plate and drove in the Utes' only run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh, scoring Alyssa Barrera from second base to keep hope alive for Utah. Alyssa Palacios then drove a pitch high and deep to center field in the next at-bat but the Sun Devils hauled it in the seal the game.
 
Arizona State improved to 21-9 with the win (4-5 Pac-12), while Utah is now 12-15 (1-8). Starting pitcher Halle Morris (3-3) took the loss, going 4-1/3 innings and allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks, while striking out one.
 
STANDOUT STAT
Katie Faulk's 2-2 batting today was her fourth multi-hit game of the season.
 
QUOTABLE
Head Coach Amy Hogue
"We play a game of inches, and sometimes it feels like that reality is harsh... today was one of those days. I was proud of our pitching and our defense that kept us within reach the entire game.
 
Our offense has work to do. We had critical baserunning errors, plus a lack of commitment early in the game to a hitting plan, which put us in a hole. We had a good shot to win that series but we were a couple of hits short.  Even with two losses this weekend this group got a lot better. We have a tough road trip ahead of us and I look forward to building on the progress we have made as a team."

NOTABLE

  • Three Utah pitchers appeared in the fifth inning, with Sydney Sandez replacing starter Halle Morris, followed by Mariah Lopez with two outs. Lopez pitched well for the final 2-1/3 innings, allowing no runs and just two hits.
  • Over the last 11 games, Katie Faulk is hitting .357 (10-28) with two doubles, one home run and three RBI.
  • After walking five times yesterday, Utah did not record a base on balls today.

ON DECK
Utah embarks on a busy stretch of road games, traveling to St. George, Utah, for a pair of games Tuesday and Wednesday at Dixie State, plus a second game Wednesday, a neutral-site contest against Southern Utah. The Utes then travel to face Cal in a four-game Pac-12 series Fri.-Sun., April 9-11. The Cal series will be televised on Pac-12 Network.

 

Related News & Videos