Upcoming Event: Softball versus UCSB on February 6, 2026 at 2 p.m.
2 p.m.
Softball
vs UCSB
The University of Utah Athletics
Friday, March 18
College Park, Md.
4:45 PM
University of Utah
1
vs
0
Villanova
Utah Softball Shuts Down Villanova, Wins 1-0
3/18/2011 12:00 AM | Softball
March 18, 2011
COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Sophomore shortstop Kelsi Hoopiiaina led off the third inning with a triple and scored the only run of the game to lead the University of Utah softball team to its third consecutive victory, a 1-0 win over Villanova Friday at the University of Maryland's Round Robin at Robert E. Taylor Field.
Utah (11-13) has won five of its last six contests and received another impressive pitching performance by starter Generra Nielson, who threw her first complete game shutout of the season. She allowed four hits while striking out six and did not issue a walk. With the third win in her last four decisions, Nielson evened her record at 9-9.
Hoopiiaina started Utah's third inning with the team's only hit of the game, a triple to right-center field on a 2-2 pitch. After consecutive strikeouts, she was able to cross home plate after a Villanova (7-10) wild pitch to put Utah up 1-0.
Hoopiiaina, a Riverton, Utah native, has hit two triples this season and three in her career. She is now fifth on the team this season with a .283 batting average.
The Wildcats biggest threat of the game came in their first at-bat when two straight one-out singles put runners on first and third base. Nielson responded with a strikeout then senior catcher Brooke Olson threw out a Villanova base runner on a stolen base attempt that kept the game scoreless. Olson has thrown out nine of 16 base runners who have attempted to steal a base this season.
Villanova did not get a runner to third base for the remainder of the game.
Utah improved to 1-1 this season against opponents from the BIG EAST Conference.
The Utes continue their Maryland Round Robin schedule tomorrow with a doubleheader against Hampton (9 a.m. ET) and Maryland (11:15 a.m. ET).
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