Utah Softball Downed By No. 13/13 Arizona, 4-2

Wednesday, April 11

Tucson, Ariz.

12:00 PM

University of Utah

Arizona

4/11/2012 12:00 AM | Softball

April 11, 2012

Box Score

TUCSON, Ariz. - Junior shortstop Kelsi Hoopiiaina scored each of the first two times she reached base, but the University of Utah softball team concluded its Pac-12 Conference series against No. 13/13 Arizona with a 4-2 loss on Wednesday afternoon at Hillenbrand Stadium.

The Utah (23-15, 0-9 Pac-12) offense was triggered by Hoopiiaina, who reached base in each of her first two plate appearances and eventually scored both of Utah's runs in the contest. She also stole a base to push her season total to 12, which ties her with teammate Sandi Bowles for seventh in the Pac-12. She is now 12-for-12 in stolen base attempts this season and 17-of-25 over her career.

Senior third baseman Whitney Holm knocked her eighth double of the year for her 33rd RBI. She leads the team with 16 extra-base hits this season and now has 63 over her career. The Spanish Fork, Utah native also extended her reached-base streak to nine games, which currently stands as the team high.

In the cleanup spot, junior designated player Katelyn Elliott gave Utah the early lead with her fourth double of the season and the sixth of her career. Elliott now has eight extra-base hits this season to go with 14 RBI.

Senior Generra Nielson started the series finale in the circle for the Utes and turned in her second straight complete game, which was her 15th complete-game effort of the year and the 24th during her time at Utah. In 6.0 innings of work, Nielson allowed two earned run on seven hits, while striking out three and walking a pair of Wildcats.

The Utes grabbed their first lead of the series in the top of the first inning as Hoopiiaina drew a leadoff walk then advanced to second after senior first baseman Tia Palauni laid down her eighth career sacrifice bunt. A groundout to first base hit by Holm allowed Hoopiiaina to take third before Elliott roped a 2-1 pitch down the left-field line that let Hoopiiaina to advance 60 feet and give Utah the 1-0 edge. Elliott now has had 11 extra-base hits during her Utah career.

Hoopiiaina led off the third by hitting into a fielder's choice, but did steal second for her 12th stolen base of the year. Holm then knocked Hoopiiaina in with a two-out single to right field off the first pitch she saw to push Hoopiiaina across the plate and cut Utah's deficit to one run once again at 3-2.

Utah returns to Ute Field for a three-game set with No. 19/15 Oregon this weekend, starting Friday at 4 p.m. Go to utahutes.com for the play-by-play call as well as live statistics of all three games.