Softball prepares for conference play

 It came down to the wire on Saturday, as Utah State University Eastern softball grabbed the victory in walk-off fashion, 8-7, over Northeastern Junior College. The Lady Eagles were down 7-6 in the bottom of the seventh inning when an error knocked in two runs, including the game winning run.

     One of the key players for USUE was Cindy Martinez as she collected four hits in all four of her at bats. Martinez collected a single in the second inning, fourth inning, and sixth inning and came up with a clutch double in the seventh.

     Northeastern Junior College put up a good fight as they took an early lead putting up two runs in the top of the second thanks to a home run and a single, each scoring one run. Northeastern extended their lead in the top of the third, scoring three runs on two hits.

     USUE made the score 8-7 in the bottom of the seventh after Maddy Jennings singled, scoring one run, Martinez doubled, scoring one run, and an error scored two runs.

     Addi Hess earned the win of the Lady Eagles. The starting pitcher surrendered 11 hits and seven runs (four earned) over seven innings, striking out six and walking one.

     Despite multiple home runs from Maddy Jennings, USUE was defeated by Northeastern Junior College in game two of the doubleheader. Jennings crushed two home runs (one in the third and one in the fifth) and drove in four runs but the Lady Eagles fell short 22-13 on Saturday. Despite the loss, USUE did collect 15 hits in the high scoring affair. Unfortunately, Northeastern had 22 hits on their way to victory.

     Northeastern jumped to an early lead scoring 11 runs in the top of the first inning on six hits including three home runs. The Lady Eagles sparked some life in the bottom of the second as they scored five runs. Brinnley Anderson drew a walk scoring one run, Micaela Resler doubled scoring two runs, and Paige Herbon singled, scoring two runs.

     Brinley Johnson took the loss for USUE. The righty allowed nine hits and nine runs over two-thirds of an inning, striking out one and walking none.

     The next day, coming off the big loss, the Lady Eagles bounced back as Maddy Jennings blasted two home runs and drove in three as they came out on top against Northeastern Junior College 11-6 on Sunday.

     Northeastern opened the scoring in the first, scoring one run on a single. USUE quickly responded in the bottom of the first as Gia Bruno singled, scoring one run, and Maddy Jennings homered, scoring two runs. Jennings homered again in the bottom of the third, scoring one run in the effort. USUE extended the lead in the bottom of the fourth as Gia Bruno hit a three-run home run. In the later innings, Brooklyn Gramse hit a solo home run, Micaela Resler doubled scoring one, and Brinley Johnson homered scoring two runs adding some more insurance runs for the Lady Eagles.

     Addi Hess got the win four USUE. The right-hander surrendered eight hits and six runs over seven innings, striking out one and walking two. The Lady Eagles accumulated 16 hits in the game. Bruno led the team with four runs batted in. Resler, Gramse, Johnson, and Jensen each collected multiple hits on the day. 

     The final game of the series ended with a 11-3 USU Eastern victory. The Lady Eagles got on the board early in the bottom of the first inning after Maddy Jennings doubled, and USUE scored on a passed ball, each scoring one run. USUE added one run in the second as Paige Herbon singled, making the score 3-0.

     USUE flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the third scoring five runs on four hits to take an 8-3 lead. The biggest blow of the inning was a single by Cambrie Jensen that drove in two runs.

     Brinley Johnson earned the win for the Lady Eagles. She gave up four hits and three runs over five innings, having four strikeouts and three walks. Micaela Resler, Cindy Martinez, and Paige Herbon each collected multiple hits for USUE. Jensen led the way with three runs batted in for the Lady Eagles.

     Next up for the Eagles is a home, four-game series, against conference rival Snow College. Games are scheduled for doubleheaders on Friday, Mar. 1 and Saturday Mar. 2. They will then travel to Colorado Northwestern Community College for a four-game series with the Spartans.