Softball Nips NMSU, 3-2

Sunday, April 30

Salt Lake City

1:00 PM

University of Utah

New Mexico State

4/30/2006 12:00 AM | Softball

April 30, 2006

Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah softball team (32-15 overall) chalked up a thrilling 3-2 victory over New Mexico State today as the Utes waited until their final at bat to pull away for the one-run victory.

It was the bat of Jackie Wong that spelled doom for the Aggies (25-21) as her shot up the middle with two on in the seventh inning lifted the home team to the victory.

Andrea Hoffman got the bottom of the seventh started with a single up the middle and Meghan Crouse's bunt for a base hit moved Hoffman to second.

The leadoff hitter, Wong, fired Sarah Seagraves' offering right back at the pitcher. It bounced off of her glove and off to the second baseman, who was going the wrong way. The pinball shot allowed Hoffman to turn the corner and score the game-winning run from second.

Wong and Hoffman led the Utes at the plate as both went 2-for-3 on the day.

Wong and Diana Phillips each had hits today, extending their career-long hitting streaks. Wong raced her hitting streak out to 14 games while Phillips checks in with a 17-gamer.

A defensive struggle at first, Utah hung the first two runs on the board in the fifth inning. Phililps' RBI single to right scored Kelly Matthews while Jessica Shiery's sac fly to right field scored Hoffman.

But, the 2-0 lead was short-lived. With one swing of the bat, NMSU knotted the game at 2-2. With Stephanie Herrera on board, Heather Minniti hit a towering homer over the left-field fence to tie the game.

Karina Cannon gave up the homer as she came on in relief of Lindsie Nielsen in the sixth inning. Nielsen allowed five hits in pitching five innings of scoreless ball. Cannon is credited with the win as she improves to 17-5 on the year. She went for two innings and gave up four hits and two earned runs.

Both teams scattered nine hits on the day.

The Utes return to action on Wednesday, May 3, to host UVSC. The doubleheader is set to start at 2 p.m. It is also the last two home games of the year at Ute Field.