Six Husky Homers Highlight Fall Season Opener
September 20, 2015 | Softball
SELAH, Wash. – After a record-breaking offensive year last season, the University of Washington softball team picked up right where they left off, exploding for six home runs en route to a 18-0 (5) win over Yakima Valley College to open the 2016 autumn portion of the year.
To highlight the offensive onslaught, with no outs in the fifth inning, the Huskies connected for home runs in four consecutive at-bats, three of which came off the bat of a freshman.
Typical of fall games, Washington head coach Heather Tarr played with the lineup throughout the contest, testing different combinations and using the game to get a good look at her freshman class.
"The fall season gives us an opportunity to evaluate our team and compete against someone other than ourselves," said Tarr. "It was great to get back on the field and get a lot of players involved. This group has a lot of depth and it will be important to play against some division I competition this coming week in Utah."
Senior Hailey Bator started in the circle for the Dawgs, recording five strikeouts and surrendering just one hit in three innings worked. Freshman Taran Alvelo was dominant in her debut in the Purple and Gold, coming on in relief in the fourth frame, retiring the side in order in both innings while striking out five.
With a 6-0 lead in the second inning, junior Casey Stangel started the home run derby, going yard to give the Huskies an 8-0 advantage. Fellow junior Ali Aguilar then hit a three-run home run in the third to put the Dawgs up, 12-0.
After going down in order in the fourth, the Huskies rattled off four home runs in a row in the fifth. With no outs, Aguilar's second long ball of the night ignited the slew of homers. Freshmen Morganne Flores, Amirah Milloy and Brittany Werre then hit back-to-back-to-back round-trippers to give Washington an 18-0 win in the first fall game of the season.
The team will host a clinic for 150 kids at Carlon Park in Selah, Wash. tomorrow (Sept. 20) before traveling to Utah to play three games next week.
Fans can catch the Dawgs at home for the annual Husky Fall Classic on Friday, Oct. 9, Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11. Click here for more information.
