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Senior Ashley Smuda allowed only one earned run in two complete games Saturday at the Cathedral City Classic.
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Feb. 27, 2010
CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. - Senior right-hander Ashley Smuda threw two complete games and allowed only one earned run to lead the University of Utah softball team to a 5-1 win over Long Beach State and a 2-1 win against UC Davis Saturday at the Cathedral City Classic at the Big League Dreams Sports Park.
Utah (9-6) received from an impressive performance from Smuda on the mound throughout the day. The Scottsdale, Ariz., native tossed 14 innings for the Utes, allowing only one earned run for a 0.50 ERA. Smuda gave up only four hits and three walks while striking out eight batters between the two games. She threw the eighth and ninth complete games of this year and the 34th and the 35th of her career. Smuda has received the decision in all nine of Utah's wins this season and currently stands 9-2.
At the plate, catcher Brooke Olson was for 4-for-6 on the day with three runs scored, two RBI, a double and a stolen base.
Utah def. Long Beach State, 5-1
Smuda allowed only one run and threw a complete-game one-hitter to lead Utah to a 5-1 victory over the Long Beach State 49ers.
Smuda allowed a leadoff double to Nalani St. Germain that eventually yielded the 49ers' first and only run of the game. After facing four LBSU hitters in the first inning, Smuda sent LBSU down in order the final six innings, pitching to the minimum three batters in each frame.
Three Utes registered multiple-hit performances in the game with Hannah Clements, Kelsi Hoopiiaina and Brooke Olson all turning in 2-for-3 performances at the plate against LBSU starter Taylor Petty. Clements was credited with a team-high two RBI.
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With a 2-1 lead after the first inning, Utah came up with three more insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Hoopiiaina started the fifth frame with a single to center field and advanced to second base after Tori Medina laid down a sacrifice bunt. After taking third base on a ground out, Hoopiiaina scored after Olson hit an RBI single. Olson moved to second base after error by the 49er shortstop then stole third base before converting Utah's second run of the inning on a single to left field by Clements.
The Utes' fifth and final run of the game came when Jensen reached on a one-out fielder's choice then took third base after an error by the 49er third baseman. Hoopiiaina drove Jensen in with an RBI double.
Utah def. UC Davis, 2-1
Smuda got her second start of the day and did not allow a hit to the Aggies in the first three innings. Smuda did not allow an earned run and only gave up three hits while striking out seven UCD hitters.
Offensively, Olson was the only hitter in the game to register multiple hits. The Bluffdale, Utah native went 2-for-3 for the second consecutive game and also scored and drove in a run.
The Utes loaded the bases in the first inning, beginning with Olson and Holm both singling up the middle of the UC Davis defense. Kara Foster then drew a walk to load the bases and a sacrifice fly to right field by Jensen pushed Olson across the plate for the first score of the game. Utah tallied the game's first score in the first inning for the 13th time in 15 games this season.
In her second start of the season, freshman designated player Alyssa Garcia helped Utah manufacture a run in the second inning. With two out, Garcia drew a walk then stole second base before Olson registered her second RBI of the day with a single to left field.
UC Davis finally cracked the scoreboard in the sixth inning when Michelle Espiritu reached on a Ute fielding error then stole second base before Elizabeth Santana drove a double to right field to score Espiritu as an unearned run to cut Utah's lead in half, 2-1.
Utah's home opener is against South Dakota State on Wednesday, March 10. First pitch from Ute Softball Field is scheduled for 4 p.m. MT.
