The Snow College softball team faced off against the College of Southern Nevada Friday in Ephraim in a doubleheader. This was the first of two doubleheaders between these teams this weekend. Friday's first game saw the Coyotes win 4-1, however the Badgers would respond in the second game to earn a 5-4 victory.
Snow College entered Friday's doubleheader after nearly a six week break, their last game being Feb. 4. The Badgers were set to take on Utah State University Eastern last weekend but, due to weather conditions, the games were postponed. In Snow College's last outing, the team participated in the Western Shootout Tournament where they won four out of six games. Friday and Saturday's doubleheaders against CSN serve as the first games of conference play for the Badgers.
The last meeting between Snow College and CSN was May 12, 2022, where the Badgers earned a triumphant 19-6 victory. In the nine total times that these squads faced off last year, the Coyotes won seven of those games. CSN entered Friday's doubleheader with an overall record of 13-9.
The Coyotes would get off to a fast start in the first of Friday's games, scoring two runs in the first inning. CSN would add to their lead in the third inning as two more runners came in, making the score 4-0. Snow College was held scoreless until the fourth inning when Bailey Bowers sent a solo home run to left field, putting the Badgers on the scoreboard.
Throughout the next three frames, both teams would remain scoreless as the game came to a close. CSN finished with a total of 11 hits while Snow College finished with just three. Coyote's pitcher Laynee Anzalone earned the victory as she struck out 11 Badgers in seven complete innings.
Although the Badgers struggled offensively in the first game, they came out determined to bounce back in the second game. The first inning of game two, however, would see CSN jump off to another quick start. Among the first six Coyotes to bat, four would go on to score. Snow College brought in pitcher Brinley Ellsworth, who managed to close the first inning without allowing CSN to score any more.
Nothing changed through the top of the third as the score stayed 4-0 for the Coyotes. However, in the bottom of the third, Snow College's Emma Higley cranked a triple to left center. The next play would see Andrea Sweat send a sacrifice fly out to center field, which allowed Higley to score. The Badgers would carry their momentum into the fourth inning as they rallied for three hits and scored one more run. Entering the fifth inning, the team had cut CSN's lead 4-2.
As the game continued, Ellsworth continued to excel from inside the circle. In five innings of pitching she struck out five batters and left the Coyotes scoreless. The fifth inning would prove to be momentous for Snow College as the team scored three runs off two hits, pushing the Badgers to a 5-4 lead. Kaitlyn Slade's second double of the game brought in Haddie Hadley, and a CSN error would later bring in two more Badgers.
Ellsworth would close out the game denying the Coyotes to score, leading Snow College to a 5-4 victory at home. She finished six and two thirds innings pitched, allowing zero runs while striking out seven. The Badgers greatly improved their hitting, as they finished the second game with 10 hits. They were led by Slade, who contributed two doubles in three at-bats, while bringing in one RBI. Haddie Hadley also went 3-4 in the win.
Snow College will return to action today against CSN as the teams will battle in another doubleheader. The first game will begin at 12:00 p.m. and the second game will shortly follow at 2:00 p.m. For video streaming and live stat information, visit snowbadgers.com
