Softball Falls to Pair of Ranked Teams on Opening Day

Friday, February 6

Westwood, Calif. (Easton Stadium)

10:30 AM

University of Utah

#24 Texas A&M

Softball Falls to Pair of Ranked Teams on Opening Day

2/6/2015 12:00 AM | Softball

Feb. 6, 2015

Box Score

Box Score - Utah 1, TAMU 5 Box Score - Utah 1, ND 3 Overall Season Statistics

WESTWOOD, Calif. - The Utah Utes managed to create a pair of late-game rallies in its first two games of the 2015 season, but both came up short in a 5-1 loss to No. 24 Texas A&M and a 3-1 loss to No. 22 Notre Dame Friday afternoon in the SoCal Collegiate Classic at Easton Stadium.

The Utes fall to 0-2 on the young season, while both the Aggies and Fighting Irish moved to 1-0.

Game One - Utah 1, Texas A&M 5
Utah trailed 5-0 with two outs in the seventh inning of game one before a pair of runners in scoring position gave the Utes an opportunity. Freshman Samantha Glantz singled and was then lifted for a pinch-runner, senior Kendal Bergman, and then a double from senior Maddy Woodard gave the Utes runners at second and third. Sophomore Hannah Flippen then singled up the middle to score Bergman on the play, before a ground out abruptly ended the game.

The Utes managed to get out of scoring jams in three of its first four innings, but the Aggies finally loaded the bases with just one out in the top of the fifth inning and Texas A&M's Cali Lanphear broke a scoreless tie with her grand slam to left-center field to put the Aggies up 4-0.

A pair of walks and a single from Woodard helped load the bases for the Utes in the bottom half of the inning, but Flippen lined into a double play to end both the threat and the inning.

The Aggies drove in another run in the top of the sixth inning on a pinch-hit double from Ashley Waters to put the Aggies up 5-1. TAMU's Branna Dozier was heading home to score on the play, but she was gunned down at the plate on senior Shelbi Everett's throw from left field.

Woodard led the Utes at the plate with a 2-for-3 effort, while Flippen finished the contest with a hit and the team's only run batted in.

Utah freshman Miranda Viramontes (L, 0-1) was saddled with the loss in her first collegiate start after giving up all five runs on five hits in five full innings of work. She registered a pair of strikeouts and walked three batters in the game, as well.

Freshman Katie Donovan allowed a hit and recorded a strikeout in her two innings of relief.

Texas A&M's Rachel Fox (W, 1-0) picked up the complete-game-win after yielding just the one run on six hits in her seven full innings of work.

Game Two - Utah 1, Notre Dame 3
The Fighting Irish got on the board first, scoring a run in the bottom of the third inning when Jenna Simon singled home Megan Sorlie. Simon then stole second base, but Shelby Pacheco ended the inning after snagging a pop fly just in front of home plate.

Back-to-back singles from Morgan Reed and Karley Wester in the bottom of the fifth inning would lead to Notre Dame scoring its second run of the game when Emilee Koerner doubled home Reed to make it 2-0. Wester was trying to score on the play as well, but Kate Dickman gunned her down at the plate from center field to end the inning.

The Irish tacked on another run in the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo home run from Cassidy Whidden and Utah would head into its final at bat down 3-0.

Bridget Castro led off the seventh inning with a double to right field and then with two outs, Marissa Mendenhall drove her home with a double to deep center field. The Irish managed to pick up the two-run win though when Woodard flied out to right field to end the game.

Donovan (L, 0-1) took the complete-game-loss in game two after giving up all three runs on seven hits, while striking out one batter and walking one.

Notre Dame's Allie Rhodes (W, 1-0) earned the complete-game-win for the Irish, giving up just the one run on four hits and striking out seven.

Dickman led the Utes at the plate in game two with a pair of hits. She tallied one of three doubles on the day for the Utes.

The Utes will be back in action on Saturday in Long Beach, Calif., taking on Long Beach State and Idaho State. First pitch against the 49ers is set for 9 a.m. (PT).