Following a difficult end to the regular season, the University of Utah softball team (13-40, 5-19 Big 12) traveled east to Oklahoma to participate in the team’s first Big 12 tournament. The Utes, who finished the season losing 16 of their last 17 games, looked to turn their fortunes around in their first tournament match against UCF.
UCF
On Wednesday, Utah took to the field to face off against the UCF Knights, who were ranked No. 7 in the tournament. The Utes looked to generate momentum early in the game, earning their first runner in the first inning with a four-pitch walk.
The Knights opened the scoring in the bottom of the first frame, taking the early lead. A fielder’s choice, a single, and a walk loaded the bases for UCF, producing the scoring opportunity. Next, a batter hit by a pitch allowed each of the runners to advance, thus scoring a run.
The Utes managed to escape the first inning, only allowing a single run. Utah went three-up, three-down in the second and third innings, struggling to find their stride offensively. The Knights went on to extend their lead in the bottom of the third.
A bases-loaded walk scored the second run of the game, doubling the UCF lead. Then, a single for the Knights drove two runners in, bringing the UCF total to four runs. Utah loaded the bases again after another hit by pitch, but the Utes escaped the jam unscathed.
Utah’s offensive struggles continued in the fourth inning, as the team’s three batters got out in order. UCF then generated another great scoring chance at the bottom of the frame. Back-to-back singles and a sacrifice fly loaded the bases once again for the Florida team. The Utah defense stood strong, though, as they successfully countered the bunt and prevented any runs from scoring.
In the fifth inning, the Utes went three-up, three-down for the fourth consecutive inning. To put salt in the wound, the Knights went on to score their fifth run in the bottom of the inning. A single and a sacrifice bunt earned a runner in scoring position for UCF. Then, a single into left-center allowed the run to score.
The sixth inning saw the Utes’ offensive fortunes change, as they finally found their first hits of the game. Singles from Hailee White and Shonty Passi earned runners on first and third, but Utah was unable to take full advantage of the excellent scoring opportunity.
After holding UCF to only a single hit in the bottom of the sixth, the Utes were down to their last three outs. Looking to rally late, Emily Capobianco opened the seventh inning with a lead-off single. Later, a walk for Kennedy Proctor and a single for Kendall Lundberg loaded the bases for Utah.
A clutch single from White scored the first run of the game for the Utes. Then, a bases-loaded walk for Taylor Jacobs brought Utah within three runs of the UCF advantage. Next, a fielding error allowed Passi to reach first safely, scoring another run for the Utes.
Then, with Kaylah Nelsen up to bat, a single through the left side allowed both Sianni Sakai and White to score, tying the game in the seventh inning. After the Utes’ notable comeback, they looked to their defense to stand up and force extra innings.
The Knights opened the bottom of the seventh with a lead-off single, but back-to-back outs brought the game one step closer to extra frames. Then, with one strike remaining, a walk-off two run home-run to left field sealed the 7-5 victory for UCF, ending the Utes’ season in heartbreaking fashion.
Looking Forward
The Utes finished the season with a 0.245 winning percentage, marking their worst season in the team’s 40-year history. However, with a young team, the future looks promising as the Utes look to return to their winning ways. Utah Softball will return to Dumke Family Softball Stadium in 2026 for its second year as a Big 12 member.
j.marriott@dailyutahchronicle.com
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