Hemingway Leads Utes over Lobos, 4-3

Saturday, April 5

Salt Lake City, Utah

1:00 PM

University of Utah

New Mexico

4/5/2008 12:00 AM | Softball

April 5, 2008

Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY - Behind Staci Hemingway's three RBI, the Utah softball team defeated New Mexico, 4-3, on Saturday, April 5.

The two freshmen pitchers, Utah's Brittany Parker and New Mexico's Madelyn Machac, spent most of the game locked in a pitcher's dual. The Utes loaded the bases with one out in the first inning led by Kara Foster's leadoff single, but Machac forced Bonnie Muir to ground into a double play to end the inning.

The Utes (19-18, 2-2 MWC) had their own double play in the top of the fourth with two Lobos on base, as Hemingway led the charge to get outs on Analise Rubalcava and Katie Gilmore at second and first with two runners on base.

New Mexico (17-14, 2-2 MWC) threatened in the top of the fifth. Tianna George doubled down the left field line with two outs. Samantha Hughes beat out a dribbler back to the pitcher and George attempted to come around and score on the play. A heads-up play by Hemingway and catcher Devina Quintero tagged George out at the plate.

The Utes stepped up in the bottom of the inning to take a 2-0 lead. Kristie Keller led off the inning with a base hit up the middle. Muir moved Keller into scoring position with a ground out before Hemingway drove home the first run of the game with a single down the left field line. Hemingway scored on a single from Angie Boardman.

Utah added two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Sharee Fonoti reached base on an error to lead off the inning and Keller beat out a bunt for a single. Muir moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt before Hemingway drove in both Keller and Fonoti to give the Utes a 4-0 lead.

The Lobos made a late rally in the top of the seventh inning spurred by Ute errors, cutting the lead to 4-3. Rubalcava and Ashley Allen each reached on an error to lead off the inning. George made Utah pay, driving in Rubalcava with a double to deep center field. George would score two batters later as Sara Loeffelholz reached on an error.

In addition to three RBI, Hemingway was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, while Keller was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Parker went the complete game, and goes to 8-9 on the year. She had four strikeouts.

The Utes return to action on Monday, April 7, in a single game against Utah Valley at 4:00 p.m.