Utah State Softball Closes Season with Win at Cal Poly

Utah State Softball Closes Season with Win at Cal Poly

Four Aggies rip two hits apiece in 6-3 victory

Utah State's softball team closed its 2003 season with a victory as the Aggies won at Cal Poly 6-3 on Saturday. Four Aggies recorded two hits as USU outhit the Mustangs 10-7 to overcome three errors in the field.

With the win, USU finished the season 8-40 overall and 3-18 in the Big West Conference. Cal Poly completed its season 22-38 and 7-14.

Trailing 3-0 after three innings, USU erupted for five runs in the top of the fourth inning. After opening the inning with an out, Amanda Carlson singled before Stephanie Vasarhely walked. Candice Hatch singled in a run before Vasarhely scored on an error.

After another out, consecutive singles by Casey Smith, Marcie Neff and Quela Henderson provided the rest of the scoring for USU in the inning.

The Aggies added another run in the top of the fifth as pitcher Leslie Higley allowed just seven hits, including just two after the second inning, in picking up her sixth win of the year.

USU received two hits apiece from Henderson, Carlson, Vasarhely and Hatch as Smith and Neff each picked up a hit as well.

Late Friday night, Cal Poly posted two wins against USU. The Aggies led the first game of the doubleheader 2-1 after six innings, but allowed the game-tying run in the bottom of the seventh and then surrendered the game-winner in the bottom of the eighth.

In the second game Friday, Cal Poly pitcher Jamie Gelbart tossed a perfect game as the Mustangs defeated USU 10-0 in five innings. USU trailed 2-0 after three innings, but allowed Cal Poly eight runs in the bottom of the fourth inning en route to the loss.

USU's eight wins on the year were its fewest in school history. The Aggies lose three seniors off this year's team in Aimee Johnson, Neff and Vasarhely. Vasarhely was a four-year starter at third base, Johnson a three-year starter in the outfield and Neff a two-year starter as a utility player.