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LEXINGTON, Ky. — Anissa Urtez went 1-for-3 with two RBI to pace three runs in the top of the fifth inning and help the University of Utah softball team to the NCAA Super Regionals with a 5-3 win Sunday over host Kentucky in the Lexington Regional final.
Kay Kay Fronda went 2-for-3 out of the lead-off spot for the Utes (35-19), and Hailey Hilburn was 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Utah advanced out of the regional round for the first time since its last trip to the NCAA Women's College World Series in 1994. The Utes hadn't previously advanced to the Super Regional under the tournament's current format.
Katie Donovan pitched 6.2 innings with two strikeouts and one walk while allowing three runs off four hits, and Miranda Viramontes tallied the final strikeout with the Wildcats threatening in the seventh inning, to secure the save.
Utah 000 031 1 — 5
UKy. 000 012 0 — 3
WP: Donovan. LP: Prince
2B — UT: Hillburn, Bowen; KY: Reed. HR — KY: Schaper. RBI — UT: Flippen; Urfez 2; Hilburn; Bowen. KY: Reed; Schaper; Hinz.
After both teams opened the game scoreless in the first four innings, Utah scored three runs on two outs in the fifth to take control from the plate. Hannah Flippen singled to left field to drive in the first run of the game, scoring Delilah Pacheco from second base immediately after the Wildcats made a pitching change.
Flippen stole second, and Urtez drove her and Fronda home with a two RBI single to cap the scoring.
Kentucky scored two in the bottom of the sixth to pull within a run, 4-3. But Fronda crossed the plate of the top of the seventh, and Viramontes induced the final three outs to send the Utes to the best-of-three Super Regional series against No. 8 Florida State.
The Wildcats took a 4-0 win earlier Sunday to force the elimination game against the Utes, who also defeated Kentucky on Saturday night.
And then the Utes celebrated with a dip in the pool.
