Boise State Takes Doubleheader Over Utah State

Saturday, April 17

Boise, Idaho

12:00 p.m. MT

Boise State

15-15, 6-4

Utah State

10-19, 2-8

Utah State

Boise State

Photo by: Boise State University

4/17/2021 8:06:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

The Broncos have won six-straight games with their sweep of the Aggies.

By: Courtesy: Boise State Athletics

BOISE, Idaho - Kelsey Lalor and Ashlyn Adams combined for eight hits on Saturday to lead the Broncos to a Mountain West Conference doubleheader sweep over the Utah State Aggies at Dona Larsen Park. Boise State opened with a 4-2 win in the opener, then followed with a 7-1 victory in the second.

The wins extended Boise State's win streak to six and improved the Broncos to 15-14 overall and 7-4 in MW play, they also clinched the third-straight MW series win. Meanwhile, Utah State moved to 10-20 and 2-9 with the loss.

The third inning was big for the Blue and Orange on Saturday as the Broncos took control of both contests in the frame with three runs in the first contest and four in the second. On the day, Boise State out hit Utah State 16 to 14 and out scored the Aggies 11 to three while hitting .281 percent compared to USU's .246 percent.

"It feels good to win a series on the first day!" said head coach Maggie Huffaker. "I'm proud of our team's overall effort in all three areas of the game over the last three weeks of conference play. We are starting to feel some momentum, while continuing to just play one pitch at a time. Today was a big day for Ashlyn Adams! She has been super consistent thus far for us and the home run today was well earned!"

Nine different Broncos tallied a hit against the Aggies led by Lalor and Adams with four each. Lalor went 4-for-6 to hit .667 percent, while Adams went 4-for-7 to hit .571 percent and tied for the team-high in RBIs with three, Alison Seng also had three. Bella Rocco had two hits and two RBI, followed by Jalen Ervin, Bobbiann Pratt, Karlee Johnson, Ashlyn Whalen, Jordyn Hutchins and Seng with one hit each.

Lalor has opened Boise State's first inning with a hit in five-consecutive games now, while Sara Johnson's win in game two was the fourth complete game pitched by the Bronco pitchers in the last five contests.

Boise State's pitchers had a combined 1.0 ERA against the Aggies today compared to USU's 5.25.

The Broncos will continue their five-game homestand on Sunday when they host game three against Utah State at noon (MT).

RECAP GAME 1: Boise State 4, Utah State 2
Boise State defeated the Aggies 4-2 in a tightly contested game in the series opener Saturday. Both teams recorded six hits apiece, but the Broncos managed to convert on more of their opportunities, especially in a big third inning.

Lalor opened Boise State's first inning with a lead off homer to center field, recording her team-high seventh home run of the season as she spotted the Broncos an early 1-0 lead.

After Utah State came back to tie it in the top of the second with a solo home run of its own, Boise State responded with a big three-run third inning. With one out, Lalor worked a walk out of Utah State's starting pitcher. Adams followed with a single through the left side, Lalor moved to second. Rocco came up next and sent a single to the left that scored Lalor and advanced Adams to third.

Hutchins then reached on a fielder's choice that loaded the bases after neither base runner advanced. Seng followed by reaching on a fielder's choice that brought home both Adams and Clarissa Moreno — pinching running for Rocco — to record the Broncos' final runs of the game.

Utah State threatened to have a big sixth inning, but Boise State worked its way out of the frame giving up only one run after the Aggies loaded the bases.

Boise State's Kiele Miller picked up her fourth win of the season, while Hannah Bailey earned her first save.

RECAP GAME 2: Boise State 7, Utah State 1
The second game of the doubleheader saw the Broncos take control during the third and fourth innings when they scored seven runs. Utah State put one across the plate late in the seventh but the game was all Boise State. The Blue and Orange out hit the Aggies 10 to five in picking up the win.

It was a scoreless game until Boise State's half of the third inning when it struck for four runs to put the game away. Lalor led off with a single to center field, then advanced to third when Adams reached on an error by Utah State which allowed her to reach second. Rocco then reached on fielder's choice when the shortstop threw to home plate in an effort to get Lalor at the plate, but the catcher was called for obstruction which allowed Lalor to score.

Next up was Hutchins who doubled to right center, scoring both Adams and Moreno — pinch running for Rocco. Seng came to bat next, she reached on a fielder's choice that scored Hutchins from third.

Up four heading into the bottom of the fourth, Boise State added three insurance runs to make it 7-0 Broncos. Karlee Johnson opened the inning with a lead off double to right center. Lalor followed with a double to center that advanced Johnson to third. Then with two on and no outs, Adams hammered her first home run of the year over the right center fence for the final three runs for the Broncos.

Utah State managed to score one run in the top of the seventh but could get no closer as the Broncos completed the sweep.

Sara Johnson pitched the complete game while striking out 10 batters and issued no walks in picking up her third win of the season.