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Softball Doubleheader Goes to No. 5 Washington

by Utah Athletics
May 8, 2021

SEATTLE – Leading fifth-ranked Washington 3-0 entering the fifth inning, the Utah softball team looked to apply the lessons learned throughout the season, but could not string together quality at-bats in their second and third trips through the lineup and ultimately allowed the Huskies' offense to take over, falling 6-4 in the first game of a doubleheader that turned into a sweep for host Washington on Saturday at Husky Softball Stadium.
 
Washington also won the nightcap, 6-0, to improve to 38-9 on the season, while Utah fell to 20-30.

QUOTABLE
Head Coach Amy Hogue
"MB (Feldman) gave us a shot to win that first game today. She did what we needed her to do and we didn't give her the support she needed to secure that win. It was disappointing to say the least, to see us give that game away. To come out of here with a win, our hitters need to be better. 1 through 9 we need to show some grit in our at-bats.
 
We have one more shot to put together a complete game and get a win here in Seattle. It's going to take everybody we've got to beat them tomorrow."

Game 1:
Utah led 3-0 through four innings before Washington got on the board with a single run in the fifth. The Huskies added five more in the sixth to take a 6-3 lead, and the Utes managed just one run in the seventh, on an RBI single by AJ Militello to score Jordyn Gasper, who had walked.
 
Utah's 3-0 lead was established in the third inning, and began with a single by Jordyn Gasper. With one out, Militello then reached base on an error and Haley Denning singled to shallow left field to load the bases. Noskin brought Gasper home on a fielder's choice with a throwing error to keep the bases loaded, and a second run scored on a walk to Bonstrom. Barrera drove in Denning with a ground-out to second to give Utah a 3-0 lead.
 
Starting pitcher Mary Beth Feldman (1-4) took the loss, as she scattered seven hits over her 5-1/3 innings of work before being relieved by Mariah Lopez. Gabbie Plain (26-1) earned the win for the Huskies.
 
Game 2:
The Utes were held to just two hits by a combination of Sarah Willis and Pat Moore, and saw its own pitching ultimately buckle under the strain of a low offensive output, allowing just a 3-0 deficit through five innings before the host Huskies erupted for three more in the sixth to take a 6-0 lead that would stand up for the final tally.
 
Utah's best scoring opportunity came in the second inning when Alyssa Barrera led off with a single and advanced to second on a groundout by Jordyn Gasper. AJ Militello drew a walk and both runners moved up one base on a wild pitch, but Washington was able to get out of the inning allowing no runs, on a strikeout and a fly out.
 
Ellessa Bonstrom accounted for Utah's other hit to lead off the fourth inning, but was struck down in a double play. Mariah Lopez made the start for the visiting Utes and took the loss (4-13). She was relieved by Halle Morris, who pitched the final 3-1/3 innings.

NOTABLE

  • Halle Morris recoded four strikeouts in her 3-1/3 innings of relief work in the nightcap of today's doubleheader, including striking out the side in the fourth inning.
  • Mariah Lopez had two strikeouts, one in each game today, to increase her team-leading total to 66 on the season.
  • Haley Denning had a base hit in the opening game to increase her team-leading total to 66 hits on the season.

ON DECK
The Utes and No. 5 Huskies will conclude the four-game series Sunday with a single game scheduled to start at 1 p.m. MT (12 PT).

 

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