Utah Softball Drops Two At Wildcat Invitational

Friday, February 20

Tucson, Ariz.

1:30 PM

University of Utah

North Dakota State

Utah Softball Drops Two At Wildcat Invitational

2/20/2009 12:00 AM | Softball

Feb. 20, 2009

Box Score

North Dakota State Box Score

Arizona Box Score

TUCSON, Ariz. - The University of Utah softball team had its four-game losing streak halted by losses to North Dakota State (4-2) and No. 11 Arizona (16-1 in five innings) during the first day of the Wildcat Invitational Friday at Hillenbrand Stadium. The Utes fell to 7-5 overall after 12 games this season and are now 0-1 on the road and 7-4 at neutral sites.

North Dakota State 4, Utah 2

Utah had its four-game winning streak come to an end, while North Dakota State remained unbeaten at 6-0 with a first-inning rally that plated three unearned runs as the Bison beat the Utes, 4-2, in the day's opening game.

In her second start of the season, sophomore Brittany Parker took the loss in her first decision of the year. The Ute offense got a multiple-hit performance form shortstop Sharee Fonoti went 2-for-3, while driving in her sixth run of the season.

Utah took a 1-0 lead in the first on a two-out double by Fonoti that dropped into left after Kara Foster walked, stole second and moved to third on a groundout, but the Bison were quick to respond.

North Dakota State loaded the bases in the bottom of the first with two outs, after successive walks issued by Utah pitcher Brittany Parker, and then tied the game with another unearned run. Breanna Konz followed with an RBI single past third. Taylor Lynn drew another walk to force in Richel Briones for a third unearned run. Nicole Rivera struck out to strand three runners.

NDSU added another run in the third with a walk by Kelly Cantrell, which turned out to be the final batter Parker would face. Then a single by Briones, a sac bunt by Jackie Currie and an infield bunt single by Lynn drove in Cantrell.

The Utes scored their second run with a one-out solo home run by Foster in their final turn at bat. The Derby, Kan., native is now tied for the team lead with five home runs this year and is second on the squad with nine RBI.

North Dakota State's Andi Padilla improved to 5-0 by scattering six hits in the complete-game victory.

No. 11 Arizona 16, Utah 1

In its first true road game of the season, Utah fell behind 3-0 to No. 11 Arizona after the top half of the first inning and could not prevent a 16-1, five-inning loss to the home-standing Wildcats.

The Utes' right fielder Angie Boardman came up with Utah's first hit of the game by singling to left field on a 1-2 count in the third inning. Boardman went 1-for-2 and helped Utah break into the scoring column in the next inning.

The Utes scored their first run of the contest with two outs in the bottom of the fourth inning when Fonoti and senior first baseman Staci Hemingway both got on with singles. Boardman reached base after an error by the Wildcat third baseman to score Fonoti.

Starter Ashley Smuda suffered her first loss of the season, pitching three innings while striking out three and walking four. The Scottsdale, Ariz., native is now 6-1 this season.

Utah plays another doubleheader tomorrow, starting with a 1:30 p.m. game against North Dakota State. The Utes then take on No. 11 Arizona at 4 p.m.