Utah Softball Blanks New Mexico, 8-0

Friday, April 22

Salt Lake City

4:00 PM

University of Utah

New Mexico

4/22/2011 12:00 AM | Softball

April 22, 2011

Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY - Junior shortstop Kelsi Hoopiiaina had two hits for four RBI to lead the University of Utah softball team to an 8-0 win in five innings over New Mexico Friday at Ute Softball Field.

Utah (26-17, 4-1 MWC) has won 11 of its last 12 and 14 of its last 16 contests. The Utes have outscored their opponents 37-5 in their last three conference matchups, which were `run-rule' victories over UNLV, Colorado State and New Mexico.

Four different Utes posted multi-hit performances, led by Hoopiiaina, who was 2-for-3 at the plate with four runs driven in. The Riverton, Utah native stands fourth on the squad with 26 RBI this season.

"Kelsi is hitting behind [clean-up hitter Tia Palauni] for a reason," Utah head coach Amy Hogue said. "She is a difficult out. She was behind in the count but came through with a couple of RBIs today. She'll look bad on one pitch, but you can't beat her on it twice. She has been one of my favorite hitters to have hit behind [Palauni] because pitchers have to mix it up or she'll make you pay. Today, she got a hold of a couple balls that really helped us on the scoreboard."

Chalese Fankhauser had a pair of hits with one RBI, while both Tara Glover and Whitney Holm had two hits and two runs scored. Joni Cook was credited with two runs driven in.

"On any given day, we can get big hits from anyone in the lineup," Hogue said. "You never know with this group. As long as we keep battling at the plate, we can continue this kind of production because each of them has different strengths to allow them to hit certain pitches. If we face a pitcher with certain strengths, it definitely will match up with some of our hitters because they're all different types. We encourage that. We're not a cookie-cutter type of hitting team, meaning that we don't make everyone hit the same way."

Generra Nielson started on the mound and went 5.0 innings for the win and her 10th complete-game effort of the season. She did not allow an earned run and only surrendered two hits while striking out five Lobo hitters and walking a pair. The Blanding, Utah native was credited with her ninth consecutive win and is now 18-10 this season.

"Once again, it took her a while to get command of all of her pitches," Hogue said. "But when you get a lead like that to work with, it's fun to pitch."

Hoopiiaina led off the second inning with her fourth home run of the season over the left-field fence. It was Hoopiiaina's first homer in conference play this season. The Utes tacked on an unearned run beginning when Holm hit a single past the Lobo shortstop then Bowles reached on an errant throw by the UNM third baseman to put runners on first and third base. Cook stepped up to the plate and grounded a ball to second base to plate Holm for eighth RBI of the year.

The Utes exploded for five runs in their third-inning at-bat, which started when Glover pushed a bunt single over the head of the UNM pitcher. Glover stole second base before Fankhauser laid down another bunt single that allowed Glover to cross the plate. After Palauni drew a walk, runners were on first and third when Hoopiiaina converted the scoring chance by looping a two-run double to left-center field. Cook then knocked in her ninth run of the year after hitting a ground ball to second base. Jackie Sweet capped the frame by legging out an infield single that allowed Holm to make the score 7-0.

Utah put the `run-rule' into effect in the bottom of the fourth inning when Glover led off with a single up the middle of the Lobo defense then stole second and scored from there on a ground ball to second base that was hit by Hoopiiaina.

The Utes host New Mexico tomorrow at Ute Softball Field. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. Live audio and Gametracker will be available at utahutes.com.