USU Eastern Softball Makes History in Conference Opener

USU Eastern first baseman McKenna Gubanich gets the runner out at first in Friday’s game against CNCC (Photo Credit: Derick Levy)
Utah State Eastern softball opened their 2018 conference schedule with a four-game sweep of the Colorado Northwest Spartans on Friday and Saturday.
The weekend sweep of the Spartans gives the Eagles their first as a program. Last season was the Eagles first season as a softball team in over two decades.
 “It was awesome to get a series sweep, it puts us 3 over the total wins that we got last year and it really sets the girls up for some confidence going into a tough weekend,” said USU Eastern softball coach Brittani Richins.
Offensively, the Eagles had a big weekend at the plate scoring 54 runs with 48 hits, 12 doubles and five home runs.
Richins said that the leading up to the weekend against CNCC her team focused on hitting and used different methods to prepare at the plate.
“We focused on hitting a lot during the week our pitchers throw to our team and we had a parent come and pitch that’s pitched in the men’s fast pitch league. Also, the indoor facility that they county has put in lets us get a lot of hitting done in a little amount of time, we can do 6 different drills within an hour, it’s awesome,” said Richins.
Leading the Eagles at the plate in the four games against CNCC was freshman MacKenzie Isaacs who batted .750 with 6 hits, 5 RBIs, and 4 runs.
“MacKenzie has surprised me more and more every time we play, she just makes things happen from the left side of the plate,” said Richins.
All three of the USU Eastern pitchers earned a win against CNCC with Carlye Levy picking up two wins.
Sophomore Angelique Lokeni pitched in five innings against the Spartans and gave up five hits with four strikeouts and a 0.00 ERA. 
The pitching staff for USU Eastern against CNCC only gave up 17 hits, four runs, and two earned runs, something Richins likes to already this season.
 “As a pitching staff we have to use everyone to keep everybody fresh and healthy throughout the year.  It is great knowing that we can rely on the three of them to bring us home some wins,” said Richins.
The Eagles now have a record of 9-5 overall and a 4-0 conference record heading into the second week of conference play.
They will host Salt Lake Community College for a four-game series with a doubleheader on Friday and Saturday.
First pitch for Friday’s opening game is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the USU Eastern Softball field at the Carbon County Fairgrounds.