Utah came into Saturday needing to win one game with two possible chances against BYU to advance to the Sweet 16 of College Softball, the Super Regional, but they only needed one game to do so as they blew out the Cougars 14-0 to win the SLC Regional.
The Utes jumped out to an early lead, and led 6-0 after 4 innings. But things really got out of hand in the 6th inning, when Utah scored 8 runs by sending 13 batters to the plate in the inning. The flood gates opened when Anissa Urtez hit a two-run double and Heather Bowen had an RBI double of her own. Urtez had 5 RBI on the game! Utah received additional RBI in the inning from Bella Secaira, Delilah Pacheco, BreOnna Castaneda and Alyssa Barrera to essentially put the game away. Utah was led by their leader Hannah Flippen, who became Utah's new hit leader, giving her 261 for her career and breaking the previous mark held by Cyndee Bennett (1994-97). Flippen went 3 for 4 on the day, with an RBI.
The Utes were led by Miranda Viramontes at pitch, as she pitched shutout softball for 5 1/3 innings. The crazy thing about this outcome is that all previous meetings between these two squads were all settled by one run this season.
Per UtahUtes.com, Utah will now face the winner of the Seattle Regional in a Super Regional. If Washington is able to advance on its home field, the Utes will travel there next weekend. If Fresno State, Michigan or Montana advances, the Utes will host once again at Dumke Family Softball Stadium.