Late Rally Falls Short as Fullerton Tops Softball

Wednesday, March 21

Fullerton, Calif.

6:00 PM

University of Utah

Cal State Fullerton

Late Rally Falls Short as Fullerton Tops Softball

3/21/2007 12:00 AM | Softball

March 21, 2007

Box Score

FULLERTON, Calif. - The University of Utah softball team (17-9-1 overall) tried to erase a five-run deficit by loading the bases with two outs in the seventh inning, but Titan pitcher Brooke Weekley came on in relief to strikeout Staci Hemingway to end the game.

Two early home runs gave the Titans a 5-0 lead but Utah countered late with a run in each the sixth and seventh innings. With the win, the Titans win their second straight and improve to 16-13.

"We started out slow and got caught on our heels for a couple of pitches," said head coach Angie Jacobs. "I'm proud of how hard we fought and that we had Fullerton on its heels in the sixth and seventh innings. I was disappointed that we didn't start as strongly as we finished. But, I think that this was an excellent learning experience and we'll take it into the game against Ohio State and into the rest of the season."

Karina Cannon got the start in the circle and takes the loss. Her mark falls to 5-4 on the year. She went for two innings, allowing five hits and five earned runs. Cannon whiffed three Titan batters. Meghan Dyer came on in the third to pitch the final five innings.

It was Meghan Crouse's 3-for-3 effort that led the Utes at the plate tonight. Five other Utes tallied a single hit today, including Hailey Davenport's RBI double in the sixth inning and Diana Phillips' RBI double in the seventh.

A pair of homers got the Titans off to a comfortable 5-0 lead. Kiki Munoz got the Titans on the board in the first with her three-run home run, and a two-run shot by Ashley Van Boxmeer in the third extended CSUF's lead to 5-0.

One of the Utes' eight hits on the day was an RBI double to the gap in left-center field in the sixth. Hailey Davenport hit a line drive to the left side that went all the way to the fence. It scored Meghan Crouse all the way from first. She led the inning off with a bloop single to left field.

Utah's second run came in the seventh, just before it had the bases loaded with two outs. Kelly Matthews slapped a bloop single to the short stop and Phillips plated her on the very next play, sending a line-drive double over the center fielder's head.

Courtney Martinez led the Titan offense tonight as she was 3-for-3 with two runs scored. CSUF had eight hits in all. Candice Baker chalks up the victory. Her 11-strikeout effort upped her season tally to 9-8.

Utah will take Thursday off before battling Ohio State on Friday here on the campus of Cal State Fullerton. First pitch is set for 5 p.m. (PDT).