The Weber State University softball team kicked off conference play with an exciting win followed by a disappointing loss in their first Big Sky Conference games this weekend. The Wildcats were scheduled to play three games against Sacramento State on March 24 and 25. Due to rain, the game on Friday was canceled.
In the first game, Weber State won in extra innings, 3–2. In the second game, a double header, the Wildcats fell 4–0.
With the first win of the day, the Wildcats extended their winning streak to 10 games. At the end of the day Saturday, Weber State would be 1–1 in Big Sky Conference play, and 17–11–1 for the season.
In Weber State’s first game, the Wildcats started the scoring off with a RBI single in the third from freshman outfielder Takesha Saltern, sending junior McKinley Brinkerhoff home.
The Wildcats extended the lead to 2–0 when junior outfielder Rae Gall recorded her RBI single, sending senior Mackenzi Corta over home plate. Sacramento State evened the score with a two-run home run in the sixth, tying the game at 2–2.
The game went into extra innings with Weber State leading off.
The Wildcats hit back-to-back singles to lead off the 10th inning from Saltern and freshman Landi Hawker. Corta sent the two into scoring position with a sacrifice bunt. Her bunt set the stage for junior Molly Horne, who set up a sacrifice fly to left to bring Saltern home, giving the Wildcats the win.
Saltern has a batting average of .439. She has scored 24 runs and holds a total of 43 hits for the season. Saltern leads the team in all three categories and is a clear standout for the Wildcats this season.
Sacramento State took the lead early in the second game, scoring two runs in the first inning. The Hornets carried that momentum into another score in the second and one more in the fifth. Weber State was able to get eight runners on base but were unable to drive any runs home.
The Wildcats make their home debut on March 31 against North Dakota. Weber State has played 29 road games so far this season. They will play three games against North Dakota, the first stating at 2 p.m., and the second starting immediately after. The third game will start at noon on April 1.
