Softball to face No. 3 Arizona

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    By AMBER ALBRECHT

    After sweeping Southern Utah in two games last week, the softball team is hoping to keep some of the momentum alive and take the University of Arizona in a doubleheader in Tucson March 10-11..

    The Cougars swept Southern Utah in two games, 8-0 and 10-4 on Friday, March 3, in Cedar City.

    The wins boosted the Cougars’ record to 7-6, a record they will defend this weekend against Arizona.

    The Wildcats are ranked No. 3 in the NCAA standings, and boast plenty of talent and a lot of speed on the field. “They’re a good team,” outfielder Brooke Cadiente said. “They’ll be playing on their own dirt, but we’ve been working hard in practice and focusing on our mental toughness, and I think we have a great chance against them.” The Cougars played No. 1 Washington in a tournament earlier in the season and look forward to another opportunity to play against a top 10 team.

    “We found out we could play with Washington at St. George, and we know we can play with Arizona,” first baseman Mindy Hansen said. “We’re looking forward to this weekend, we’re ready to get going.”

    The Cougars are hoping their two wins in Cedar City can give them a lift for Arizona.

    Pitcher Maryon Dewitt pitched her second shutout to claim the 8-0 win in game one. Dewitt struck out six and allowed just five hits in seven innings.

    Offensively, Brooke Cadiente and Jackie Ellis each homered to lead the assault and up the season’s home run totals to five, four of which were against the Thunderbirds.

    “We hit the ball really well,” BYU head coach Mary Kay Amicone said. “They played us tough and were a really scrappy team and we knew we really needed to hit the ball. Our pitching was great as well.”

    In game two the Thunderbirds jumped to an early lead of 4-0, forcing pitcher Lindsay Jones out of the game after the first inning. BYU answered back scoring each successive inning for the 10-4 win. Cougars Angie Christiansen and Julie Wallace went deep for home runs; Wallace knocked in four runs while Christiansen drove in three.

    “These wins were such a team effort,” Hansen said. “Everyone contributed and it felt good. We were confident at the plate, and we really focused on the basics.”

    “We started out intense and everything seemed to click,” shortstop Becca Erickson said. “We’re beginning to play our game and it feels good.”

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