Ute Softball Edged by BYU, 6-5

Saturday, April 10

Provo, Utah

2:00 PM

University of Utah

at BYU

4/10/2010 12:00 AM | Softball

April 10, 2010

Box Score

PROVO, Utah - Sophomore third baseman Whitney Holm had two hits and four RBI while starting pitcher Ashley Smuda lasted 5.2 innings but the University of Utah softball team was edged by BYU 6-5 in the second Deseret First Duel contest of the season Saturday at Gail Miller Field.

Utah (17-20, 0-2 MWC) was led offensively throughout the game by Holm, who slapped a three-run single in the first inning then lined a double to right field to drive in another run in the third frame. The Spanish Fork, Utah native is now fourth on the team with 19 RBI and has 48 for her career.

Holm went 4-for-6 with five RBI in the two-game set in Provo this weekend.

Brooke Olson also had a multiple-hit effort, going 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

Smuda fell to 14-9 this season after 5.2 innings of work, allowing five earned runs on nine hits with five walks and four strikeouts.

Utah attacked early by scoring three runs in the first inning as Olson started the game with a single to left field then stole second base. Kelsi Hoopiiaina was then hit by a pitch and Tia Palauni drew a walk to load the bases before Holm stepped up to deliver her three-run single.

Unfortunately, BYU came back in the bottom of the first with a double to right field, a walked and then a three-run shot over the right field wall to tie the game up at three runs apiece.

The Utes scored runs in the third and fourths inning to take a two-run lead. Kara Foster got the action going by reaching on an error by the Cougar right-fielder before scoring on Holm's double.

However, Utah was not able to hold the Cougars scoreless for the remainder of the game and in the bottom of the fourth inning, BYU evened the game with a two-run double. The game remained 5-5 until the bottom of the seventh when BYU was able to get a walk-off one-run single.

With each softball victory being worth 1.5 points, the 2009-10 Desert First Duel is now a 40-14 in favor of BYU.