Utah Softball Records 1-1 Tally

Saturday, February 17

Las Vegas, Nev.

3:00 PM

University of Utah

Florida International (Louisville Slugger Desert Classic)

2/17/2007 12:00 AM | Softball

Feb. 17, 2007

Utah- Oklahoma State Box Score
Utah-Florida International Box Score

HENDERSON, Nev. - Pitcher Meghan Dyer led the University of Utah softball team to a 1-1 tally here on the first day of the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic in Las Vegas. Dyer took the one-run loss to Oklahoma State, 2-1, in game one and hurled the Utes to victory over Florida International, 8-1, in game two.

After today, Utah's record improves to 3-3-1 on the year. Dyer remains responsible for all of the team's wins as she improves to 3-2 on the season. The senior hurler had nine K's in each game today.

"The team didn't come out on the same page in game one," said head coach Angie Jacobs. "Our hitters were trying to hit home runs instead of stringing hits together. Oklahoma State's pitching was very hittable and I think we let that one slip away.

"We did some great things in finishing with a win against Florida International. It was a complete team effort. But, Haili Squire had a strong finish in the circle for us. Closing as well as she did gives this team the confidence it needs to head into two tough games against Oregon and Hawaii tomorrow."

Four Utes had outstanding days at the plate, hitting better than .300 and hammering out three hits. They were led by the efforts of Kristie Keller. She was 3-for-6 on the afternoon with a double and two RBI. Diana Phillips was 3-for-8 with a homer while Tori Medina and Kelly Matthews were both 3-for-7. Also hanging a homer on the board today was freshman Kara Foster.

Utah returns to the diamond tomorrow when they play Oregon and Hawaii. First pitch on the afternoon is set for 1:30 p.m. (PST).

Oklahoma State 2, Utah1
Utah struggled at the plate in the 2-1 loss to Oklahoma State in the first game this afternoon. The Utes left eight runners on base and only banged out three hits as they dropped to 2-3-1 on the year.

OSU (4-4) also had three hits in addition to two errors in the game.

It started out as a pitchers' dual as both teams went hitless through the first four innings. Utah broke up OSU's no-hitter in the fourth when Phillips hit a grounder with eyes through the left side.

OSU's broke up Dyer's no-hit bid in a big way. A lead-off double in the fifth chalked up the Cowgirls' first hit and proved costly. The runner was sacrificed to third and an RBI single to left by Shianne Cruce broke the scoreless tie.

Utah responded in the bottom of the fifth. Medina hit a lead-off double of her own and was sacrificed to third by Andrea Hoffman. However, Hoffman was safe on a fielding error. It was Matthews who plated the run when she popped a strong bunt up between the charging third baseman and the shortstop. Medina charged across the plate to knot it up at 1-1.

The fifth could have been worse for the Cowgirls as Utah managed to load the bases with no outs. But, its two-three-four batters all struck out swinging to end the inning.

Krystal Sanchez' RBI single in the sixth was the difference. Her hit to left field plated Jenna Harmison who pinch ran for Courtney Totte. Totte drew a one-out walk before Harmison stepped in for her. Harmison stole second just before scoring on Sanchez' hit.

The Utes did have one last chance to bag the win. Meghan Crouse drew a two-out walk in the bottom of the seventh. Kara Foster followed Crouse with a long fly ball to center. It took the center fielder all the way to the fence before falling safely into her glove for the final out.

Utah 8, Florida International 1
The hitting woes from the first outing didn't traverse into the second game of the day as the Utes pounded out a season-high 13 hits in topping Florida International in their nightcap, 8-1.

Utah raced out to a 4-0 lead after the first two innings. Foster had a two-run homer in the first and Keller's two-RBI single in the second lifted Utah to the 4-0 cushion. Utah's four-run fourth inning spelled doom for the Golden Panthers. It was Phillips' three-run homer in the top of that frame that put the nail in the coffin.

FIU's (0-8) only run came in the second when Deomi Murray hit an RBI single to right. It scored Amanda Cox.

Another bright spot for the Utes was the pitching effort of Haili Squire. Squire came on in the sixth and fanned four of the eight batters she faced. She allowed only one hit.