Utes Rally for Come-From-Behind Wins against UNLV

Thursday, April 24

Salt Lake City, Utah

4:00 PM

University of Utah

UNLV

Utes Rally for Come-From-Behind Wins against UNLV

4/24/2008 12:00 AM | Softball

April 24, 2008

Box Score

OREM, Utah - Kara Foster led the rally for the Utes in a pair of come-from-behind victories against UNLV on Thursday, April 24, winning game one, 8-7, and game two, 3-2.

The day got off to a rocky start as the game was moved to Utah Valley University due to field conditions at Ute Field.

In game one, UNLV (23-32-1, 3-9 MWC) took a 7-5 lead into the bottom of the seventh inning. Diana Phillips drew a two-out walk to start the comeback rally. Sharee Fonoti singled to put two on base, while Devina Quintero loaded the bases with a walk. Foster hit a single into center field, scoring Phillips and Fonoti to tie the game, 7-7. Angie Boardman helped bring home the winning run with a single to left field, which was bobbled and allowed Quintero to score and end the game.

Utah (25-20, 8-4 MWC) struggled early in the first game, going down 6-0 in the second inning. Following a delay of nearly an hour for inclement weather, the Utes rallied back to score two runs in the bottom of the second, a run in the fourth, and two runs in the sixth.

Foster went 3-for-5 in game one with three RBI. Phillips was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI while Quintero was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored.

Brittany Parker started the first game and went two innings, striking out three. Ashley Smuda pitched the final five innings with nine strikeouts, allowing just two hits and earning the victory.

Game two saw a back-and-fourth pitchers dual. Down 2-1 in the fifth inning, Fonoti battled through a long two-out at-bat to single through the left side and score Meghan Crouse, tying the game 2-2.

The Utes would take the lead in the sixth inning. Foster took advantage of the UNLV left fielder's misplay for a leadoff triple. She would score with a well-played suicide squeeze bunt courtesy of Kristie Keller to give Utah the 3-2 lead.

Fonoti was 2-for-2 with two RBI in game two.

Smuda started game two at pitcher, striking out seven. With the two victories on the day, she goes to 16-9.

Utah returns to the field tomorrow, April 25, against No. 19 San Diego State beginning at 4:00 pm at Ute Field.