BYU Slugs Its Way Past Softball

Thursday, May 12

San Diego, Calif.

4:30 PM

University of Utah

BYU - MWC Tournament

5/12/2005 12:00 AM | Softball

May 12, 2005

Box Score

SAN DIEGO, Calif. - The University of Utah's three-game winning streak got snapped as it fell to the top-seeded Brigham Young Cougars here in the second round of the Mountain West Conference Tournament this evening, 6-1.

The No. 4-seeded Utes, who will play Colorado State in the consolation bracket tomorrow at 2 p.m., falls to 21-28 for the year. BYU improves to 42-12 for the year. It faces either New Mexico, UNLV or San Diego State, depending on the outcome of two other games yet to be played.

Provo native Brianna Gourdin got the start in the circle for the Crimson and White. She allowed seven hits and five earned runs in falling to 11-14 for the year. All of BYU's hits and runs came in the either the first or the sixth innings. Daniella Urincho got the win for BYU, improving to 15-2.

The Cougars out-hit the Utes, 7-3, with Utah's Diana Phillips, Devina Quintero and Bryanne Durrence each going 1-for-3 at the plate.

The top seed didn't waste any time in putting runs up on the board. In the bottom of the first, Ashlyn Russell hit a blooper down the right field line. The double allowed Paige Parramore and Ianeta Le'i to score. However, the hit spun into foul territory and it got away from right fielder Kelly Matthews. After Matthews scooped it up, an errant throw back to the infield allowed Russell to score all the way from second, giving BYU a 3-0 lead.

The Utes tried to rally in the top of the second. They managed to load the bases on a hit, a walk and hit batsman. However, there were already two outs in the inning and Urincho got out of the pickle when pinch-hitter Sarah Lyman struck out.

However, the Utes did get one back on their rivals in the third. With Phillips sitting on second, Quintero hit a lazy fly ball to left. Too tough a play for left fielder Krystle Chamberain, it dropped in and the speedy Phillips headed for home, full steam, and made it 3-1.

A pair of triples in the sixth posted three more runs for BYU. A two-RBI triple by Le'i and another RBI triple by Lindy Kennedy gave the Cougars an insurmountable five-run lead, 6-1, heading in the final inning.