Softball Falls to No. 2 UCLA in Series Opener

SALT LAKE CITY – The Utah softball team battled the No. 2 UCLA Bruins Friday evening at Dumke Family Stadium in the opening game of a four-game series, but could not get to starting pitcher Megan Faraimo and fell, 5-0. Utah was held to a season-low two hits as the Bruins improved to 29-3 (11-2 Pac-12), while Utah fell to 19-24 (2-14 Pac-12).
 
UCLA struck first with three runs in the top of the first inning off starting pitcher Mary Beth Feldman, who settled into a groove after that and held the Bruins scoreless over the next three innings, allowing just two hits. The Bruins, however, added a two-run homer by Rachel Garcia in the fifth inning to open a 5-0 lead it would maintain through the finish.
 
STANDOUT STAT
Madi Jacobus accounted for one of Utah's two hits, continuing her hot streak from Wednesday. Over the past three games she is batting .545 (6-11).
 
NOTABLE

• Haley Denning broke up Megan Faraimo's no-hit bid to lead off the fourth inning and begin Utah's second trip through the batting order.
• Denning went 1-3 today and leads Utah in hitting with a .388 average.
• Halle Morris replaced starting pitcher Mary Beth Feldman to begin the sixth inning and allowed just one hit in her two innings of work.

ON DECK
The Utes and Bruins meet again on Saturday for a doubleheader, beginning at 2 p.m. MT, before concluding the series Sunday at 12 p.m.