March 21, 2008
FULLERTON, Calif. - The Utah softball team overcame a 2-1 deficit in the bottom of the sixth inning to upset No. 14/18 DePaul, 3-2, before falling to No. 14/19 Fresno State, 9-6, on the second day of the Judi Garman Classic.
Staci Hemingway started the rally for the Utes (15-14) against DePaul with a walk. She advanced to second on a passed ball. Diana Phillips reached on a throwing error, moving her to second and allowing Hemingway to come around to score, tying the game at 2-2. Kelly Matthews singled up the middle to bring Phillips home for the winning run.
Phillips was 2-for-4 in the contest, scoring two of the Utes three runs. She had a double and two stolen bases in the game.
Ashley Smuda (9-7) pitched the complete game, giving up just four hits.
DePaul (17-8) entered the game ranked 14th in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll.
Fresno State (27-5), ranked No. 14 in the USA Softball/ESPN.com poll, used a four-run sixth inning to break a 5-5 tie, pulling ahead to take the win. Although the Utes would score a run in the bottom of the inning with a home run from Devina Quintero, Bulldog pitcher Morgan Melloh quickly ended the Utah threat.
Fresno State took a 2-0 lead in the first inning before Utah came back to take a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the inning. Angie Boardman's single to center field sent Phillips and Matthews around to score before Kara Foster cleared the bases with a two-run home run.
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The Bulldogs took a 5-4 lead in the second inning, but the Utes tied the game, 5-5, in the fifth. Boardman drove in Kristie Keller with a double to right field.
Boardman was 2-for-4 with three RBI in the contest, while Quintero was 2-for-3 with an RBI.
Brittany Parker (6-7) had five strikeouts in the complete-game loss.
The Utes continue at the Judi Garman Classic against Illinois on Friday, March 21, at 4:00 pm.
