Indiana University Athletics
Indiana University
Utah (NCAA, Austin Regional)
Hoosiers Fall in Heartbreaker to Utah
5/20/2006 12:00:00 AM | Softball
May 20, 2006
AUSTIN - The Indiana softball team could not overcome costly errors and a tough Utah team, as it fell in the elimination game of the NCAA Tournament, 5-1, at Red and Charline McCombs Field on May 20, in Austin. The Hoosiers took a late-game lead over the Utes, but a heartbreaking bottom of the sixth proved too much to overcome.
The loss ended the Hoosiers postseason run with a 30-25-1 overall record, while Utah improved to 40-20 on the year.
In what played out to be a deadlock through four innings, both the Hoosiers and the Utes opened the contest defensive minded. Utah allowed only one Hoosier runner to reach the base path, while Indiana remained just as stingy in the game's early goings.
Utah, however, gave Indiana an early scare, loading the bases in the bottom of the second inning on a pair of walks and a single. Senior pitcher Megan Roark and the Hoosiers remained composed, ending the frame on a fly out in foul territory to sophomore catcher Janetta Deaven, followed by a groundout to Roark.
After struggling early, the Hoosiers scored the game's first run in the top of the fifth. The score came courtesy of a single by junior centerfielder Kim Richards, followed by a costly Utah error that sent junior first baseman Rachel Terry to first. Freshman second baseman Sarah Padove laid down a sacrifice bunt that advanced both IU runners, while a sacrifice fly off the bat of freshman shortstop Stephanie Pellerito brought Richards home. A timely Utah strikeout ended the Hoosier run.
In the bottom of the sixth, three miscues by the Indiana infield began what became a five-run inning for Utah. The Utes, behind five hits took a 5-1 lead in the game, cornering the Hoosiers into a needed come-from-behind push in the top of the seventh.
Utah, however, continued to give IU trouble at the plate, sealing the win on back-to-back-to-back strikeouts.
The Utes advanced to play Texas in the championship game of the Austin Regional on Sunday, May 21.
