University of Utah
1-0
Northwestern
0-1
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Runs R | Hits H | Errors E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utah | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| Northwestern | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 |
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Utah Softball Starts Season with Strong Outings
2/7/2020 5:43 PM | Softball
Pitching, power and patience at plate produce pair of wins
Utah 3, No. 14 Northwestern 2
Ellessa Bonstrom dealt a decisive blow with a three-run homer in the sixth inning to back Mary Beth Feldman in her first collegiate start as the Utes pulled the upset.
Feldman outdueled Danielle Williams, last year's National Freshman of the Year, going 5 1/3 innings, striking out five batters and allowing just one earned run. Despite that performance, she trailed on the scoreboard entering the sixth.
The game started with a one-out double by Rachel Lewis and after a fly ball to right advanced her to third, a passed ball put the Wildcats ahead 1-0.
The Utah offense was held in check until the late stages. Madi Jacobus started the sixth by hustling into second with her first collegiate hit, a double to left. After a walk to Alyssa Barrera, Bonstrom smashed the first pitch she saw over the left-field wall for a three-run homer.
Ellessa Bonstrom takes the first pitch deep! Utes on the board and in the lead late!
— Utah Softball (@Utah_Softball) February 7, 2020
3-1 #GoUtes ???? pic.twitter.com/K8hdVN6vZd
Northwestern made things interesting in the bottom half when Nikki Cuchran walked with one out and Jordan Rudd followed with a single. Some miscommunication on the play allowed Cuchran to score and Rudd to get all the way to third. Holding a tenuous advantage, Sydney Sandez struck out the next two batters and quieted the 'Cats in the seventh to notch the save.
BreOnna Castaneda also provided a spark at the plate for Utah, lashing a pair of doubles. In fact, five of the team's six hits went for extra bases.
In her 1st collegiate start, Mary Beth Feldman outduels last season's National Freshman of the Year and Sydney Sandez slams the door! ??
— Utah Softball (@Utah_Softball) February 7, 2020
Ellessa Bonstrom delivers the fireworks late w/a 3-run HR & BreeOnna Castaneda clubs 2 2B's! ??
Not a bad way to start 2020! ??#GoUtes ???? pic.twitter.com/9voXZt6CoF
Utah 12, Western Michigan 2
Utah dominated the Broncos thanks to early patience at the plate and some late power.
Utah loaded the bases in the second, sandwiching a Castaneda single between walks by Destiny Quiles and Julia Scardina. Makayla Hurst, Jacobus and Barrera would all follow with walks of their own to open up a 3-0 lead.
The Utes blew it open in the third, plating eight runs in the process. Quiles started the frame with a single and after Charlee Pond was plunked, Katie Faulk drove in a run with a single. Haley Denning and Julia Noskin followed with singles for another run and Jacobus brought home two more with a knock of her own.
Barrera added another RBI to her tally by legging out an infield hit and Bonstrom connected on another three-run bomb to cap the scoring.
WMU got a pair back with its first hit of the game, a two-run double, in the fourth but Utah pulled one back during its at-bat. Elicia Espinosa walked and was lifted for pinch-runner AJ Militello. The Michigan native stole second, went to third on a fly to right and scored on a Noskin single for the final margin.
Sandez, who earned the save earlier in the day, picked up the win this afternoon. Halle Morris also made her first appearance for the Utes and pitched the last inning in relief.
The Utes are back at Farrington Stadium tomorrow for a 2 p.m. contest against Portland State
Another one in the WIN column for @Utah_Softball
— Utah Softball (@Utah_Softball) February 7, 2020
Jacobus andBonstrom both drive in three runs, while Sandez gets her first win of the year, 12-2 over Western Michigan!
Back over at Farrington tomorrow for a 12pm contest vs. Portland State on @Pac12Network #GoUtes ???? pic.twitter.com/MOiY1AQaPn
Players Mentioned
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Feldman, Mary Beth (1-0)
L: Williams, Danielle (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Jacobus, Madi 1 ; Barrera, Alyssa 1 ; Castaneda, BreOnna 2
HR: Bonstrom, Ellessa 1
RBI: Bonstrom, Ellessa 3
SH: Castaneda, BreOnna 1 ; Palacios, Alyssa 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Jacobus, Madi 1 ; Barrera, Alyssa 1 ; Bonstrom, Ellessa 1
Batting:
2B: Lewis, Rachel 1
RBI: Rudd, Jordyn 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Lewis, Rachel 1 ; Bartz, Emma 1
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