FORT COLLINS, Colo. — The Utah softball team won the Mountain West Conference tournament with a 3-0 victory over San Diego State on Saturday afternoon at Ram Field.
Utah will now wait to hear its destination for the NCAA Regionals after earning the automatic berth. The selection show will take place today between 6 and 7 p.m. on ESPNews.
Brianna Gourdin (18-7) tossed a one-hit shutout against the Aztecs. Gourdin also struck out three, while helping herself with strong defense via five assists and one putout. The putout turned into a double play that left an Aztec runner stranded at third in the fourth inning.
On the weekend, the sophomore allowed just eight hits and one run in 21 innings of work. Her efforts earned her unanimous tournament MVP honors.
"Brianna Gourdin, who only gave up eight hits this weekend, was the reason our team played so loose," head coach Mona Stevens said. "I'm not at all surprised about this victory, as funny as that sounds. Our biggest frustration this season has been not playing up to our potential."
The only run Utah needed came in the first inning when Jackie Wong led off the game with a single through the left side. Wong then moved to third after Aztec pitcher Cori Janelli threw away Bryanne Durrence's sacrifice bunt. The next Ute batter, Glennis Donnelly, knocked a sacrifice fly to shallow center to score Wong and put Utah up 1-0.
The Utes added two more to their run total in the top of the seventh when Kate Nygaard ripped a line drive over the left field fence to score herself and pinch runner Jenni Thurston.
Along with Gourdin, Wong, Donnelly and Nygaard earned all-tournament honors.
"It is really exciting to get back into the NCAAs," senior Melissa Stahnke said. "It is nice to have the opportunity to play top 25 teams again — this time with confidence."