Ute Softball Falls to No. 21 Northwestern, 10-2

Sunday, February 21

Las Vegas, Nev.

9:00 AM

University of Utah

#21 Northwestern

Ute Softball Falls to No. 21 Northwestern, 10-2

2/21/2010 12:00 AM | Softball

Feb. 21, 2010

Box Score

LAS VEGAS, Nev. - The University of Utah softball team pitching staff allowed only four hits but fell 10-2 in five innings against No. 21 Northwestern in its final game of the Louisville Slugger Desert Classic.

"Of course we have plenty of things to work through, but I feel like this was a step in the right direction, especially for Brittany [Parker]," Utah head coach Amy Hogue said. "She felt more comfortable and improved from last weekend and I'm anxious for next weekend for her because if she continues to improve at the rate she did from last weekend to this weekend, then it's going to be a lot of fun

"I'm proud of the confidence the team is bringing to the games," Hogue said. "It doesn't matter to this team who shows up in the other dugout, our focus has been on ourselves. That's why we're doing a lot of things well."

Utah (7-3) got 2.2 innings from Parker, who retired six of the first seven Northwestern batters she faced. The Murray, Utah native allowed seven runs with four walks and four strikeouts. Joni Cook came on in relief in 1.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on three walks with three strikeouts.

Sophomore third baseman Whitney Holm came up with the lone Utah hit of the game in the first inning. Holm, the Spanish Fork, Utah, native was 1-for-3 while senior Kara Foster was credited with the Utes' lone RBI in the first inning.

The Utes opened quickly, once again, with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning without registering a hit. Brooke Olson was hit by a pitch then moved to third base after the Wildcat third baseman had an errant throw on a bunt laid down by Hannah Clements. Olson later scored on a wild pitch and Clements crossed the plate after Foster launched a sacrifice fly to center field to put Utah up 2-0.

Utah has scored first in all 10 of its games this season.

Northwestern responded in its half of the first inning with a home run by Adrienne Monka over the left field fence in the bottom of the frame to get the Wildcats within a run at 2-1.

Utah managed to get runners in scoring position in the second and third innings. Tia Palauni drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second after a ground ball to second base but was unable to advance any further. In the third inning, Holm drove a 1-2 pitch to left field for a one-out double, Utah's only hit of the day, but was unable to score after a strikeout and a line out to center field.

The Wildcats came up with six runs in their third inning to assume control of the ball game and added three more in the fourth frame to earn the run-rule victory.

"We're averaging close to seven runs a game," Hogue said. "Those types of numbers are going to get you a lot of wins. Hopefully, we'll get some weather in Salt Lake City that cooperates with us so we can get some practices outside then we can get more comfortable on the dirt. If our hitters continue to put up numbers like that and our defense begins to figure some things out, we will put up a lot of wins."

Utah heads to the Cathedral City Classic next weekend where it will take on Oregon (3 p.m. PT) and Fresno State (5:30 p.m. PT) on Thursday.