By: Chet Gardner
The Aggies softball team snapped their losing skid on Saturday afternoon with a 4-1 victory over the San Jose State Spartans. The game was the second game of a 3-game series. USU fell 9-1 on Friday night and lost a close one, 3-1 in the second game on Saturday.
The win put an end to a 13-game WAC losing streak for the Aggies, dating back to last season.
USU junior pitcher Kate Greenough had a phenomenal performance to help get the Aggie victory on Saturday. She pitched a complete game 4-hitter and only gave up one run. With only one strikeout in the game, Greenough had a lot of help from the defense.
Utah State coach Candi Letts said, “Today we handled the ball, we didn’t boot it around. We really took care of business and controlled the game.”
Coach Letts stated how happy she was with the hitting of junior Emily Reilly, freshman Gina Rawls and many others in the win.
Reilly had the first RBI of the game in the second inning as she knocked in freshman Jasmine Harris, who had singled to start the inning. San Jose State answered back in the fourth inning, scoring one run off of Greenough. However she got out of a one-out jam with runners in scoring position to keep them from scoring any more. And that was it as far as scoring goes for the Spartans.
USU tacked on a run in the fourth inning with a single by senior Jeanine Hernandez and tacked on a couple insurance runs in the seventh for good measure. The damage was done by many base-runners in the seventh inning for USU.
Letts was very pleased with the effort after losing badly the night before to the same team.
“We played with much more energy and at a higher level today,” Letts said. “They just finally took a breath and realized what they can do and what they should do (to win).”
The story of the second game of the double-header Saturday was put simply by the USU coach. “We didn’t get that timely hit,” Lett said, “The bottom line is we left too many people on base.”
USU got another gem of a performance in the pitchers spot by senior Lindsey Benson in the second game, but to no avail. Benson gave up only four hits, but took the loss falling to 1-13 on the season.
The Spartans were able to get the first three runs of the game over the first five innings on timely hitting and key errors by the Aggies. The Aggies would fight back with base runners in the sixth inning. Shortly after a triple by junior Simone Hubbard, senior Aubrie Stroman was able to hit her in with a double to left-center. But the threat from Utah State would end there as 3-1 would prove to be the final.
USU now holds a 7-21 overall record, and 1-5 in WAC play.
The Aggies will play Utah Valley on Tuesday March 31 in Orem and then resume WAC play this weekend in Logan as they play host to the Aggies of New Mexico State. They will play a 3-game series starting Friday.
Utah State will strive to get better at hitting in clutch situations as they get ready for the Wolverines and Aggies.
Letts said, “Performing with some pressure has got to be our number one goal.”
-chet.gardner@aggiemail.usu.edu
March 29, 2009
Recent article on Sports Debate (Oldham)
Blue & White Sports Debate
Chet Gardner
1. Thoughts on basketball season
It was an incredible season. It was one of the best I’ve ever seen as a lifelong Aggie basketball fan. It was heart-breaking to see it end like that, but at the same time very encouraging. You know that the season is gonna end up with a loss unless you win the NCAA championship (disregarding the NIT & CBI). They were ranked for part of the season, which doesn’t happen often. They got no respect going into the tournament with an 11 seed and proved they were better than that, and were a couple calls away from the second round of the NCAA tourney. I won’t forget this season.
2. Thoughts on fee increase
I believe that to vote yes on the fee increase is a must for a sports fan at Utah State. We students are guaranteed 39 percent of the seats in the Smith Spectrum and 25 percent in Romney Stadium. We have the lowest sports funds in the WAC which has held us back from competing as much as we’re capable. USU sports serves as marketing for the university to the world. If you want good publicity, better recognition and something to lose your voice over each football and basketball season, you will vote yes as I did on the sports fee increase.
3. March Madness: Cinderella & Favorite?
If you are a fan of Cinderella come March, this tournament has turned into a dud. Arizona is the only legit Cinderella left. Coming from the Pac-10 they’re not an exciting one. Utah State was a sexy pick to go deep in the tourney, not only from the USU faithful (including my bracket), but from analysts across the land. As for the favorite, I think it will go to the team that has been here before – North Carolina. Virtually the Heels whole team is back after a final four appearance last year. At this point I see them beating UCONN in the final.
4. MLB Predictions for 2009
This is a tough one. However baseball is so unpredictable that it is fun to predict in March. I am a National League fan, but I admit the National League seems very weak this year. I think the Rays and Phillies are not able to live up to the hype this year. The Rays will fail to make the playoffs and the Phillies will lose in the division series. The Bay Area teams (Giants and A’s) will be surprises in weak divisions and make it to their respective league championship games but fall to deeper teams in the Cubs and Red Sox. Something will happen to curse the Cubs in the Series and they’ll lose in seven. “The Nation” is happy once again (yawn).
5. Rant
We are in the midst of the greatest era in Aggie basketball history. Stew Morrill is the main reason for this. He has 5 NCAA appearances out of the 17 in Aggie history. He has done that in only 11 seasons. It’s a miracle that he has hung around at Utah State and not moved on to bigger schools and more money. Some critics have speculated that he schedules cupcakes, however he has stated that he will play anyone home and home. I admire him for standing up for his players and fans. If USU fans want a tougher schedule then they can get used to playing many more road games than home games. Stew’s hands are tied. No one wants to play in the Spectrum. Hopefully the WAC gets stronger, that is the best bet for a tougher schedule.
Chet Gardner
1. Thoughts on basketball season
It was an incredible season. It was one of the best I’ve ever seen as a lifelong Aggie basketball fan. It was heart-breaking to see it end like that, but at the same time very encouraging. You know that the season is gonna end up with a loss unless you win the NCAA championship (disregarding the NIT & CBI). They were ranked for part of the season, which doesn’t happen often. They got no respect going into the tournament with an 11 seed and proved they were better than that, and were a couple calls away from the second round of the NCAA tourney. I won’t forget this season.
2. Thoughts on fee increase
I believe that to vote yes on the fee increase is a must for a sports fan at Utah State. We students are guaranteed 39 percent of the seats in the Smith Spectrum and 25 percent in Romney Stadium. We have the lowest sports funds in the WAC which has held us back from competing as much as we’re capable. USU sports serves as marketing for the university to the world. If you want good publicity, better recognition and something to lose your voice over each football and basketball season, you will vote yes as I did on the sports fee increase.
3. March Madness: Cinderella & Favorite?
If you are a fan of Cinderella come March, this tournament has turned into a dud. Arizona is the only legit Cinderella left. Coming from the Pac-10 they’re not an exciting one. Utah State was a sexy pick to go deep in the tourney, not only from the USU faithful (including my bracket), but from analysts across the land. As for the favorite, I think it will go to the team that has been here before – North Carolina. Virtually the Heels whole team is back after a final four appearance last year. At this point I see them beating UCONN in the final.
4. MLB Predictions for 2009
This is a tough one. However baseball is so unpredictable that it is fun to predict in March. I am a National League fan, but I admit the National League seems very weak this year. I think the Rays and Phillies are not able to live up to the hype this year. The Rays will fail to make the playoffs and the Phillies will lose in the division series. The Bay Area teams (Giants and A’s) will be surprises in weak divisions and make it to their respective league championship games but fall to deeper teams in the Cubs and Red Sox. Something will happen to curse the Cubs in the Series and they’ll lose in seven. “The Nation” is happy once again (yawn).
5. Rant
We are in the midst of the greatest era in Aggie basketball history. Stew Morrill is the main reason for this. He has 5 NCAA appearances out of the 17 in Aggie history. He has done that in only 11 seasons. It’s a miracle that he has hung around at Utah State and not moved on to bigger schools and more money. Some critics have speculated that he schedules cupcakes, however he has stated that he will play anyone home and home. I admire him for standing up for his players and fans. If USU fans want a tougher schedule then they can get used to playing many more road games than home games. Stew’s hands are tied. No one wants to play in the Spectrum. Hopefully the WAC gets stronger, that is the best bet for a tougher schedule.
March 26, 2009
Helping sponsor the PR Conference (Oldham)
As part of the PRSSA we are planning the Utah PR Conference on April 13 at USU.
As I was looking for sponsors I was lucky to find that my current employer - Golden Corral - was able to help me out a little bit.
They do a "celebrity server night" to help us raise money for our cause (which is raising money to put together the PR conference).
A few of the members of the PRSSA will be the "celebrity servers" on Mon. March 30. We get the opportunity to sell tickets to friends, family and whoever for $12. When they come with their tickets on that night our organization will get $2 per ticket redeemed. We (PRSSA) will be their servers and will get to keep the tips that we make to go toward the PR Conference.
This has been a learning experience and hopefully all will go well come Monday night. I am excited for the opportunity this has provided me and the PRSSA in raising money.
As I was looking for sponsors I was lucky to find that my current employer - Golden Corral - was able to help me out a little bit.
They do a "celebrity server night" to help us raise money for our cause (which is raising money to put together the PR conference).
A few of the members of the PRSSA will be the "celebrity servers" on Mon. March 30. We get the opportunity to sell tickets to friends, family and whoever for $12. When they come with their tickets on that night our organization will get $2 per ticket redeemed. We (PRSSA) will be their servers and will get to keep the tips that we make to go toward the PR Conference.
This has been a learning experience and hopefully all will go well come Monday night. I am excited for the opportunity this has provided me and the PRSSA in raising money.
March 22, 2009
Assignment 5 in Online JCOM - Photoshop
I changed the texture of the picture to a tile background. I changed the brightness of the background. I changed the color of my brother and sister in law. Also changed the background to black and white (except my brother and sister in law).
I changed the picture in a few ways: I changed the color to black and white except for my mom. Also I changed the color of my brothers tie. I also changed the color of the chair in the background to a reddish-brown.
March 08, 2009
March 06, 2009
Current Events: Raise in tuition (Oldham)
There has been quite a bit of speculation and a lot said about the possibility of a raise in tuition to support athletics at Utah State University.
Some people suggest to cut the athletics to get us out of the economic crisis. Or to cut it if they need our money in a time like this.
Athletics keeps the University where it is at, yet I don't feel it's more important than the school. However it is obvious the athletics is struggling financially, and I don't think we should just give up. A small increase is fair considering the circumstances.
Utah State is the lowest funded athletic school in the WAC (Western Athletic Conference). So it seems a fee increase has been long overdue. Also the school would not be anywhere near where it is now, academically.
Not only will the slight fee increase help us students have a more enjoyable time, it will help us build for the future. It will help market the school and when others get here after us the school will be better off, academically and athletically.
I'm glad we get to vote for it, so everyone can have an opportunity to voice their opinion.
Some people suggest to cut the athletics to get us out of the economic crisis. Or to cut it if they need our money in a time like this.
Athletics keeps the University where it is at, yet I don't feel it's more important than the school. However it is obvious the athletics is struggling financially, and I don't think we should just give up. A small increase is fair considering the circumstances.
Utah State is the lowest funded athletic school in the WAC (Western Athletic Conference). So it seems a fee increase has been long overdue. Also the school would not be anywhere near where it is now, academically.
Not only will the slight fee increase help us students have a more enjoyable time, it will help us build for the future. It will help market the school and when others get here after us the school will be better off, academically and athletically.
I'm glad we get to vote for it, so everyone can have an opportunity to voice their opinion.
March 01, 2009
Utah Statesman article - Softball (Oldham)
By: Chet Gardner
The Utah State softball team had a disappointing weekend at the Diamond Devil Invitational in Tempe, Arizona, going 0-5. The last game was Sunday against WAC foe New Mexico State where they lost in a close one, 4-2.
After the weekend the Aggies fell to 3-12 on the season
USU did not play well to start the tournament and had a hard time finding their way back to playing the way they’re capable of. “When you don’t play well and you start thinking too much, you start losing a little confidence, then everything you’ve done to get confidence, you can’t find it anymore, and it takes a while to get it back,” said USU coach Candi Letts.
The Aggies started the weekend with a Friday game against Southern Utah. The Thunderbirds started off quick scoring the first three runs of the game, but USU junior Emily Reilly hit a bases loaded single in the fourth inning that scored two runs and cut it to 3-2. That score held until SUU exploded for six runs in the seventh, and eventually went on to win, 9-3.
That night the Aggies faced the defending Women's College World Series champion Arizona State Sun Devils. Things didn’t go very well from the get-go for USU. ASU scored three runs in the first inning and five in the third inning to go up 8-0.
The Sun Devils held the Aggies to just one hit and only four base-runners all game. Junior Simone Hibbard recorded the lone hit with a single in the fourth inning. Hibbard and freshman Gina Rawls and senior Aubrie Stroman each walked in the game.
Saturday the Aggies played better against Northern Colorado and South Alabama, but with the same results as the first day.
The game against Northern Colorado was a rematch of a game earlier this season in which Utah State won 8-2. This time the Bears of Northern Colorado got the best of the Aggies 3-1. The Bears manufactured a couple of runs in the first inning, and that would prove to be enough to hold off the Aggies. Freshman Rayna Bradshaw had the lone RBI for USU on a fielder’s choice in the fifth inning
The story of the day for USU was not being able to get runners in once they reached base. They out-hit Northern Colorado 8-5 in the loss.
The inability to hit runners home continued in the game against South Alabama and they eventually fell 5-1. The Aggies would only get one hit in the game but had many runners on. The lone run came when Rachel Evans was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The only hit came from Michelle Workman, a single in the third inning. The Jaguars had eight hits off of USU pitcher Lindsey Benson who pitched all seven innings, but fell to 0-6 on the season.
Letts said that the team did some good things defensively but left too many players on base.
The Aggies fought hard to get out of their slump Sunday against the Aggies of New Mexico State but lost a close one 4-2.
The Aggies will resume play this weekend at the Cal Poly Tournament beginning Friday against UC Riverside at 10 a.m. The tournament is in San Luis Obispo, California.
“It’s now back to work,” Letts said. “They know they have to work a lot harder and do a lot more to get back to where they want to be.”
The Utah State softball team had a disappointing weekend at the Diamond Devil Invitational in Tempe, Arizona, going 0-5. The last game was Sunday against WAC foe New Mexico State where they lost in a close one, 4-2.
After the weekend the Aggies fell to 3-12 on the season
USU did not play well to start the tournament and had a hard time finding their way back to playing the way they’re capable of. “When you don’t play well and you start thinking too much, you start losing a little confidence, then everything you’ve done to get confidence, you can’t find it anymore, and it takes a while to get it back,” said USU coach Candi Letts.
The Aggies started the weekend with a Friday game against Southern Utah. The Thunderbirds started off quick scoring the first three runs of the game, but USU junior Emily Reilly hit a bases loaded single in the fourth inning that scored two runs and cut it to 3-2. That score held until SUU exploded for six runs in the seventh, and eventually went on to win, 9-3.
That night the Aggies faced the defending Women's College World Series champion Arizona State Sun Devils. Things didn’t go very well from the get-go for USU. ASU scored three runs in the first inning and five in the third inning to go up 8-0.
The Sun Devils held the Aggies to just one hit and only four base-runners all game. Junior Simone Hibbard recorded the lone hit with a single in the fourth inning. Hibbard and freshman Gina Rawls and senior Aubrie Stroman each walked in the game.
Saturday the Aggies played better against Northern Colorado and South Alabama, but with the same results as the first day.
The game against Northern Colorado was a rematch of a game earlier this season in which Utah State won 8-2. This time the Bears of Northern Colorado got the best of the Aggies 3-1. The Bears manufactured a couple of runs in the first inning, and that would prove to be enough to hold off the Aggies. Freshman Rayna Bradshaw had the lone RBI for USU on a fielder’s choice in the fifth inning
The story of the day for USU was not being able to get runners in once they reached base. They out-hit Northern Colorado 8-5 in the loss.
The inability to hit runners home continued in the game against South Alabama and they eventually fell 5-1. The Aggies would only get one hit in the game but had many runners on. The lone run came when Rachel Evans was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. The only hit came from Michelle Workman, a single in the third inning. The Jaguars had eight hits off of USU pitcher Lindsey Benson who pitched all seven innings, but fell to 0-6 on the season.
Letts said that the team did some good things defensively but left too many players on base.
The Aggies fought hard to get out of their slump Sunday against the Aggies of New Mexico State but lost a close one 4-2.
The Aggies will resume play this weekend at the Cal Poly Tournament beginning Friday against UC Riverside at 10 a.m. The tournament is in San Luis Obispo, California.
“It’s now back to work,” Letts said. “They know they have to work a lot harder and do a lot more to get back to where they want to be.”
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
