Utah Softball Splits In Final Day of Red Desert Classic

Sunday, February 8

St. George, Utah

1:30 PM

University of Utah

Utah Valley

Utah Softball Splits In Final Day of Red Desert Classic

2/8/2009 12:00 AM | Softball

Feb. 8, 2009

Box Score

SAINT GEORGE, Utah - The University of Utah softball team lost to No. 15 Washington, 4-0, and defeated Utah Valley, 10-2, Sunday in the final two games of the Red Desert Classic. The Utes are now 3-2 after the season's first weekend, defeating San Jose State, Utah State and UVU with losses against Loyola Marymount and UW.

No. 15 Washington 4, Utah 0

In her second career start, freshman Joni Cook pitched a complete game five-hitter against the Huskies, allowing four runs with six strikeouts.

"[Cook] threw a five-hitter against an excellent-hitting Washington team," Utah head coach Amy Hogue said. "She didn't throw like a freshman today and kept us within reach. We had our chance to score early but just didn't capitalize. I would have liked to have seen what would have happened if we could have pushed that runner across in the first."

In the bottom of the first inning, freshman third baseman Whitney Holm and junior center fielder Kara Foster both drew one-out walks. Unfortunately, the Utes were unable to score the first run of the game.

Washington was able to tally the first score of the game in the second inning when Ashlyn Watson hit a line drive home run over the left center field fence to put the Huskies up 1-0. The Huskies added to their lead with a two-run third inning to take control of the game and seize a 3-0 advantage. Kimi Pohlman started the inning off with a single then Bailey Stenson reached on a Ute throwing error and both players were driven in by a single from Ashley Tuiasosopo.

Senior catcher Andrea Hoffman slapped a single to right field for Utah's first hit with two outs in the seventh inning. Hoffman went 5-for-16 over the weekend with four runs scored and two RBI.

Washington pitcher Danielle Lawrie allowed one hit and walked three Utah batters. Lawrie retired the last 20 Utes she faced during her complete game performance.

Utah 10, Utah Valley 2 (5 inn.)

In the second game of the day, the Utes pounded out 11 hits and did not have a single strike out in their eight-run victory over the Wolverines. Foster went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in, while Holm was 2-for-4 with a run batted in.

"Our bats finally woke up in the fourth inning and we showed from the top to bottom of our roster that we have a strong hitting team. All weekend, I was extremely impressed with our defense. We made teams earn everything they got."

Ashley Smuda made her third start of the season and pitched four innings, allowing two runs on one hit with five strikeouts. The Scottsdale, Ariz., native improved to 3-0 this season with the win.

The Utes started quickly in the second game of the day by pushing a run across the plate in the first inning, but UVU answered with a two-run home run by Cherylyn McGraw in the bottom half of the frame.

But Smuda helped the Utes regain control of the game by striking out the side in the fourth inning.

The Ute offense followed Smuda's lead and responded with a five-run fifth inning, including Jasey Jensen's first career home run to give the Utes a 10-2 lead.

Brittany Parker pitched the fifth and final inning and allowed two hits with one strikeout while getting the final three outs to seal the victory for the Utes.

The Utes next travel to Las Vegas for the Louisville Slugger Classic Feb. 13-15. Utah opens the tournament at 11:15 a.m., Friday against Nevada.