Utes Run-Rule the Matadors 8-0 on Saturday

Saturday, February 14

Henderson, Nev. (Stephanie Lynn Craig Field Two)

6:00 PM

University of Utah

Cal State Northridge

2/14/2015 12:00 AM | Softball

Feb. 14, 2015

Box Score

HENDERSON, Nev. - The Utah offense belted three home runs and scored a season-high eight runs, while starting pitcher Katie Donovan tossed a two-hitter in an 8-0 win over Cal State Northridge Saturday evening at Stephanie Lynn Craig Park.

Anissa Urtez, Hannah Flippen and Bridget Castro each blasted home run shots in the game and the Utah offense recorded a combined 10 hits en route to the squad's first run-rule victory of the season.

Meanwhile, Donovan (W, 2-1) allowed just two hits over her five full innings of work - a bunt single and a high chopper over the shortstop's head - struck out four batters and walked just one on the way to earning her second win of the season.

Utah batted around in the top of the first inning, which led to scoring four runs on four hits and taking an early 4-0 lead. Flippen and Kate Dickman led off the inning with back-to-back singles and both players would later score on a sacrifice fly from Castro and a wild pitch, respectively. Kristen Stewart followed with a walk and then Urtez connected on her first home run of the season to give the Utes a commanding four-run advantage.

Utah added to its lead in the top of the third inning with home runs from both Flippen and Castro. Flippen's solo shot pushed Utah's lead to 5-0 before Castro gave Utah a seven-run lead after she belted a two-run shot over the center field fence.

The Utes tacked on an insurance run in the top of the fourth inning when singled and later scored on a RBI-single from Marissa Mendenhall.

Donovan would shutdown the Matadors over the course of the next two innings and the insurance run eventually led to Utah run-ruling CSUN.

Brianna Elder (L, 2-1) dropped first game of the season inside the circle for the Matadors after giving up four runs on three hits and lasting just 0.1 of an inning. She was relieved by Zoe Conley, Crystal Maas and Daphne Pofek in the contest.

The Utes moved to 5-4 overall with the win as the team went 1-1 in tournament play on Saturday. The Matadors, who had just tallied 13 hits in a 12-5 win over Indiana, dropped to 7-2 overall with the loss and it marked the team's lowest hitting total in a game this season.

Utah is back in action on Sunday when they face Nevada in a single game at UNLV's Eller Media Stadium. First pitch between the Utes and Wolf Pack is set for 1:30 p.m. (PT).