By Loren Miller, USU Sports Information:
PRICE – Softball’s 2018 season came to end on Thursday after a 6-0 loss to the Snow Badgers in the Region XVIII Tournament.
After a opening round loss to College of Southern Nevada on Wednesday, the Eagles moved to the loser’s side of the bracket in the double elimination tournament to take on Snow.
USU Eastern gave up a run in five of the seven innings on Thursday including a three-run home run in bottom of the third.
The Eagles were unable to get anything going offensively against the Badgers because they were not swinging at the right pitches.
“We as a team didn’t attack the zone and swing at strikes. If we would have done that we would have been more productive at the plate,” said Utah State Eastern Head Coach Brittani Richins.
McKenzie Dorney and Angelique Lokeni each got an opportunity to pitch against Snow on Thursday with Dorney making the start.
Lokeni pitched in 2 1/3 innings and only allowed three hits and one earned run.
Thursday’s loss means the Eagles finish the season with a 23-29 overall record, a 17-game improvement from the first year of USU Eastern softball.
“I don’t want to look at the season just based off of one or two game in the region tournament,” said Richins. “The girls worked so hard to make a difference this year and the sophomores wanted it to be different from last year. I am so proud of these girls and for that they have accomplished in the second year of the program.”
Some of the highlights this year include multiple conference player of the week honors, nine players receiving end of the season honors and beating two nationally ranked teams twice.
With the season over, Richins looks ahead to the year three of the program and building off of 2018’s success.
“I am excited to have more depth in my pitching staff and the experience from all the freshman that will be returning. We have recruited a strong 2018 class and are possibly adding a couple more to our roster,” said Richins.
The Eagles will bring back wins leader from this year Carlye Levy to pitch again and will also have Dorney coming back that has pitching experience.
Richins also will have all-region players Ashley Sweat, Taylor Passarella, and Avery Blackhurst returning to help at the plate and on defense.
Softball will now use the Summer to take time off and prepare for Fall ball starting in September.
The program will also be hosting clinics on June 11 & 12 at the Carbon County Fairgrounds.
Players in grades K-12 can attend the clinics and the cost is $55 per athlete. For information please contact Coach Richins at brittani.richins@usu.edu