The Utah softball team was facing elimination in Seattle after dropping the first game 10-3 in game two last night. They secured a thrilling 9-8 victory to force game three tonight with the winner heading to the Women’s College World Series.
"This team is one game away from going to the World Series," said Utah head coach Amy Hogue. "We've not been able to say that before and I guarantee that's not going to get old. We're going to keep saying it all night tonight and all day tomorrow until this thing's over."
With three stike outs in 4 2⁄3 innings, Katie Donovan got the win, her 18th this season. Miranda Viramontes allowed only one run in 2 1/3 innings of relief pitching.
The Utes shelled UW starting pitcher Taran Alvelo, who allowed seven earned runs in only 2 2⁄3 innings. She had previously faced the Utes four times this season, going 4-0 with a 1.56 ERA.
The Utah offense was powered by a trio of freshmen: Kelly Martinez and BreOnna Castaneda both hit home runs and Alyssa Barrera got on base four times in the game.
The Utes would take the lead 2-0 in the second inning. UW would answer in the third going up 4-2, then the Utes exploded to a seven run inning, going up 9-4. Donovan and Viramontes would do enough on the mound to allow Utah to hold on for the 9-8 victory to force the decisive game three tonight.
The third and final game of this NCAA Super Regional will be tonight at 8 p.m. MT on ESPN2.