Upcoming Event: Softball versus Utah Valley on October 2, 2025 at 4 p.m.
4 p.m.
Softball
vs Utah Valley
Friday, March 15
Salt Lake City, Utah
4:00 PM
University of Utah
12-13, 0
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4
California
18-8, 0
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California
2
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Utah
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Photo by: Steve C. Wilson
Utah Softball Wins Pac-12 Opener vs. Cal, 5-4
3/15/2019 7:25 PM | Softball
Bonstrom, Barrera and Dickman provide offense, Sandez gets win, Ladner notches save
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah Softball won its Pac-12 opener on Friday evening, topping California, 5-4.
Ellessa Bonstrom hit the first homer of 2019 at Dumke Family Softball Stadium, Alyssa Barrera gave Utah a lead with a two-run triple and Ally Dickman followed with a RBI single that proved to be the deciding run.
In the circle, Hailey Hilburn kept the Utes tied through four innings before being replaced by Sydney Sandez. The freshman notched her fifth win of the season but the game was not secured until Chantelle Ladner got the final out for her first save of the year.
Cal got off to a good start when it took a lead three batters into the ball game. Mikayla Coelho roped a double to left center that scored Lindsay Rood and Amani Bradley.
The Utes had a chance to answer in the bottom half when it loaded the bases. BreOnna Castaneda walked before Bonstrom and Barrera followed with singles. Zoe Conley was able to rebound and get a strikeout and grounder to short.
Hilburn worked out of trouble in the second by getting Bradley to ground to Julia Noskin at second and the Utes pulled even in the third. Noskin worked a leadoff walk and Bonstrom smashed her second homer of the season to center.
Hilburn induced seven straight groundouts to keep the Golden Bears off the board and Utah had another look at the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Dickman singled and Abby Robertson walked before Conley got a pair of ground balls and a strikeout to keep it tied.
The Utes finally went ahead in the fifth. Castaneda started with a single and Bonstrom walked on four pitches. Barrera followed with her triple off the wall in left-center to put the home team in front for the first time. Dickman followed with a single to center for what proved to be a huge insurance run.
Cal got one back in the sixth as Lauren Espalin opened with a double and scored on a Jordan Fines single. However, Utah turned an inning-ending double play to preserve momentum.
The contest came down to the final inning as Noskin and Castaneda made strong defensive plays to open the seventh. Cal notched three-straight singles to pull within one and put the tying run on third with two outs. Utah went to the 'pen and Chantelle Ladner got a fly ball to left, saving the game
The Utes and Golden Bears are back tomorrow at Dumke Family Softball Stadium. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. It will be MVP Day with free pennants for fans in attendance and a postgame autograph session scheduled.
Ellessa Bonstrom hit the first homer of 2019 at Dumke Family Softball Stadium, Alyssa Barrera gave Utah a lead with a two-run triple and Ally Dickman followed with a RBI single that proved to be the deciding run.
In the circle, Hailey Hilburn kept the Utes tied through four innings before being replaced by Sydney Sandez. The freshman notched her fifth win of the season but the game was not secured until Chantelle Ladner got the final out for her first save of the year.
Cal got off to a good start when it took a lead three batters into the ball game. Mikayla Coelho roped a double to left center that scored Lindsay Rood and Amani Bradley.
The Utes had a chance to answer in the bottom half when it loaded the bases. BreOnna Castaneda walked before Bonstrom and Barrera followed with singles. Zoe Conley was able to rebound and get a strikeout and grounder to short.
Hilburn worked out of trouble in the second by getting Bradley to ground to Julia Noskin at second and the Utes pulled even in the third. Noskin worked a leadoff walk and Bonstrom smashed her second homer of the season to center.
Ellessa Bonstrom's homer has us tied as we head to the 5th inning!#GoUtes ???? pic.twitter.com/fGcH8MNizB
— Utah Softball (@Utah_Softball) March 15, 2019
Hilburn induced seven straight groundouts to keep the Golden Bears off the board and Utah had another look at the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Dickman singled and Abby Robertson walked before Conley got a pair of ground balls and a strikeout to keep it tied.
The Utes finally went ahead in the fifth. Castaneda started with a single and Bonstrom walked on four pitches. Barrera followed with her triple off the wall in left-center to put the home team in front for the first time. Dickman followed with a single to center for what proved to be a huge insurance run.
Alyssa Barrera showing her wheels! Utes in front!
— Utah Softball (@Utah_Softball) March 15, 2019
4-2 #GoUtes ???? pic.twitter.com/5rwlyQ7g67
Cal got one back in the sixth as Lauren Espalin opened with a double and scored on a Jordan Fines single. However, Utah turned an inning-ending double play to preserve momentum.
Utes turn two to close the 6th!#GoUtes ???? pic.twitter.com/M5kNufmimi
— Utah Softball (@Utah_Softball) March 15, 2019
The contest came down to the final inning as Noskin and Castaneda made strong defensive plays to open the seventh. Cal notched three-straight singles to pull within one and put the tying run on third with two outs. Utah went to the 'pen and Chantelle Ladner got a fly ball to left, saving the game
The Utes and Golden Bears are back tomorrow at Dumke Family Softball Stadium. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. It will be MVP Day with free pennants for fans in attendance and a postgame autograph session scheduled.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Sandez, Sydney (5-4)
L: Conley, Zoe (4-5)
S: Ladner, Chantelle (1)
Batting:
2B: Coelho, Mikayla 1 ; Espalin, Lauren 1
RBI: Coelho, Mikayla 3 ; Fines, Jordan 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Rood, Lindsay 2 ; Bradley, Amani 1 ; Nunez, Sabrina 1
SB: Rood, Lindsay 1
Batting:
3B: Barrera, Alyssa 1
HR: Bonstrom, Ellessa 1
RBI: Bonstrom, Ellessa 2 ; Barrera, Alyssa 2 ; Dickman, Ally 1
SH: Faulk, Katie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Noskin, Julia 1 ; Castaneda, BreOnna 1 ; Bonstrom, Ellessa 2 ; Barrera, Alyssa 1
CS: Dickman, Ally 1
Game Leaders
Hitting
AB
2
R
2
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
AB
3
R
0
H
2
RBI
1
AB
2
R
1
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
OF
/ SoftballUTIL
/ Softball
UTIL
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P/UTIL
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
INF/OF
/ Softball
SS
/ Softball
P
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