The bad became worse for the Wolverines last week as they dropped both games of a doubleheader at home to the Aggies of Utah State.
Utah Valley pitchers Heidi Stocks and Alli Bramwell surrendered six homeruns on the day as the Wolverines fell 11-2 in game one and 8-2 in game two.
As softballs were flying over the heads of the Utah Valley outfielders, coach Todd Fairbourne disgustedly watched as his team dropped to 5-19. “They didn’t have their best stuff, but my pitchers battled,” he said. “We didn’t give them any help offensively or defensively.”
Utah State entered the day with a non-intimidating 3-15 record and represented a real chance for the Wolverines to escape with two home wins. Utah Valley saw that opportunity belted out of the park in the first inning of game one when the Aggies jumped out to a 2-0 lead on a two-run shot. The Wolverines never saw the lead all day long.
The Aggies accumulated 20 hits in the two games while the Wolverines could only muster six, and were outscored 19-4. “We are so much better than that it’s not funny,” said Fairbourne. “It’s a matter of being consistent: pitching, hitting fielding.”
In a season that the Wolverines have struggled to put runs on the board they have been outscored by their opponents 154-73. “I’m more than disappointed,” said Fairbourne. “You can’t give teams at this level extra at-bats.”
Utah Valley’s schedule remains tough after this weekend as they will take on Idaho State in a twin bill at home and then travel to California for a series with Cal State Bakersfield. With 10 of their next 13 games on the road, the Wolverines need to capitalize at home. They finish with eight home games and a trip to Provo to finish the season at BYU.
