By Loren Miller, USU Eastern Sports Information
Utah State Eastern Softball swept the Colorado Northwestern Spartans in their four-game series on Friday and Saturday at home. The Eagles defeated the Spartans 10-2 in game one and 13-5 in game two on Friday; both games ended in six innings. On Saturday, the Eagles defeated CNCC 11-3 in game three and 17-2 in game four with both games ending in five innings.
“It was good to get multiple wins in a row. These will continue to come as we work harder each week and controlling our approach,” said USU Eastern head coach Ryan Smith.
At the plate, the Eagles averaged 14.5 runs, 11.25 RBIs and almost 13 runs per game while only allowing an average of three runs per game scored by the Spartans.
Sophomores Rilee Stookey and Jaiden Smith each had nine hits in the series. Stookey also had six RBI’s and six stolen bases in the sweep. McKenzie Dorney led the Eagles in home runs with two, including a walk-off two-run home run in game two.
In the circle pitching for the Eagles, sophomore Carlye Levy led the Eagles with two wins while only giving up 10 hits, two earned runs and posting a 2.33 ERA. Freshman Nyah DeRyke also pitched well for USU Eastern, picking up two wins and pitching in 11 innings and throwing six strikeouts.
“Our pitchers did well keeping the batters off balance and getting them to hit fly balls and grounders. All of them looked confident on the mound and when that happens, the defense is more confident also,” said Smith.
The Eagles were able to pull off the sweep without some key contributors who were dealing with injuries.
Freshmen Jordyn Fitch, Regan Bossow, and Brianna Clarke each hit a homerun coming off the bench for the Eagles in the series. It wasn’t just those three who stepped up for USU Eastern, according to coach Smith.
“Our whole team stepped up to make up for those that were hurt. We all hit the ball well but our bench came up big and stayed under control and did a good job. This whole weekend was a great team effort,” said Smith.
With the four wins against CNCC, the Eagles are now 10-13 in conference and sit in fourth place in the standings. They are two games behind the Snow Badgers in the loss column.
Up next for USU Eastern is their final home series of the season next Friday and Saturday against Salt Lake Community College. The Eagles were swept last month by SLCC in Taylorsville and are looking to upset the conference leading Bruins.
Friday’s games against the Bruins will start at 1 p.m. at the Carbon County Fairgrounds. Saturday’s doubleheader will begin at noon. All four games against SLCC will be broadcast on the Scenic West Digital Network at scenicwestnetwork.com.
