Utah Softball Defeats UCSB, 3-1

Friday, April 25

SALT LAKE CITY

3:00 PM

University of Utah

UC SANTA BARBARA

4/25/2003 12:00 AM | Softball

April 25, 2003

Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY--Behind a strong outing by pitcher Jen Pursell, the Utes defeated UC Santa Barbara, 3-1, on a windy Friday afternoon. Utah improves to 17-21 overall, while the Gauchos fall to 30-17. The Utes now face Colorado State on Saturday at noon in a league doubleheader and follow that up with another league doubleheader on Sunday at 11:00 a.m. against New Mexico.

UCSB had a strong first inning after their lead off runner reached base on an error and then swiped second before being bunted over to third. With just the one out, Jen Pursell then retired the next two batters to prevent the runner from scoring. With the exception of an error in the fourth, Pursell retired the next 12 of 13 batters.

Utah did damage in the both the third and fourth innings with two outs. Outfielder Texie Criddle reached on a fielder's choice. Niki Hayhurst then ripped a single to right field that was misplayed by the fielder, allowing Criddle to score from first (1-0). In the fourth, Glennis Donnelly singled to third base. After the next Ute struck out, Traci Keller knocked a single down the left side to move Donnelly to second. Bryanne Durrence followed up with a walk to load the bases. Next, Jackie Wong connected for a single to shortstop that would score Donnelly and a hustling Keller (3-0).

Pursell threw five no-hit innings, but lost the no-hitter on a bunt by Leslie Simien. After swiping second, Simien moved to third after Ashley Groefsema knocked a nubber off her bat for a hit. Pursell walked the next batter to load the bases. The next batter smacked a bouncer to short that was fielded perfectly by Donnelly to get the Utes out of the inning and keep a 3-0 margin.

UCSB finally put a run on the board in the seventh. The lead-off runner, Sarah Brown, drew a walk. The next batter grounded out to second, but advanced Brown to over to second. Brown would take third safely after a rundown resulted in an error. She would then score on a double down the left field line by Karyna Wilkerson (3-1). A diving grab by Wong was easily tossed to Hayhurst at first to retire the next batter and end the game.

Pursell scattered three hits in 7.0 innings, while striking out three. She allowed one run, which was unearned. "I felt like I was in a rythm for most of the game," said Pursell. "My defense really backed me up today. I alway seem to lose no-no's on bunts."

Wong connected for two hits for Utah and had the two RBI. Five other Utes also had a hit in the game.

"JP threw a great game for us today. Her performance was vintage JP," noted Head Coach Mona Stevens. "Traci Keller had some heads up base running that put us up by three to help take some of the pressure off. Jackie Wong struggled at first, but had the two hits and great diving catch to close the game."