Wildcats Even Series with 8-6 Win Over Utes

Saturday, April 18

Salt Lake City (Dumke Family Softball Stadium)

4:30 PM

University of Utah

#15 Arizona

4/18/2015 12:00 AM | Softball

April 18, 2015

Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY -- The Utah softball team could not complete a comeback against No. 16/15 Arizona Saturday evening, falling 8-6 to the Wildcats at Dumke Family Softball Stadium.

In a contest that featured 13 runs on 13 hits between the two teams, both Utah and Arizona combined to hit six home runs in the game, but it was the Wildcats' four home runs that outdid the Utes.

Utah led 1-0 after one inning when Kristen Stewart drove in Hannah Flippen with a sacrifice fly and the Cats would not answer until the fourth inning, but they did so with back-to-back home runs from Kellie Fox and Katiyana that helped give Arizona a 2-1 lead.

The Cats tacked on another run in the top of the fifth inning with a solo home run from Hallie Wilson, but the Utes came right back with back-to-back home runs from Anissa Urtez and Flippen to tie the game 3-3. Kate Dickman then walked and Heather Bowen later drove her home with a single up the middle to give Utah a 4-3 lead.

The Cats pulled away in the top of the sixth inning, scoring five runs on the strength of a two-run home run from Chelsea Goodacre and a two-RBI double from Lauren Young that put the Wildcats on top 8-4.

The Utes battled back though in the bottom of the sixth with a RBI single from Flippen and Dickman later scoring on a wild pitch that pulled Utah within two runs, but the home squad could not answer in the bottom of the seventh inning and Arizona tied the series at 1-1 with the 8-6 win.

Katie Donovan (L, 13-6) took the loss for the Utes in the circle, giving up six runs on five hits in five and a third innings of work. Miranda Viramontes and Kayce Nieto worked the final 1.2 innings in relief for the Utes.

Arizona's Triish Parks (W, 13-5) picked up the win for the Wildcats in relief. She allowed three runs on four hits and struck out six in her three full innings on the day. Michelle Floyd and Siera Phillips combined to give up three runs on just two hits, as both pitchers worked two full innings apiece.

Flippen led the way offensively with a pair of hits and two runs batted in. She scored a team-high three runs in the game, as well.

Both teams will be back at it again tomorrow for the rubber match and series finale. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. and the game will be televised live on the Pac-12 Networks.