Pitching duel: Utes win tight battle with Aggies

Wednesday's game between Utah and Utah State turned out to be a pitchers' duel. But the hurlers involved were not the usual suspects.

The Utes sent Karina Cannon to the circle. It was the right-hander's first appearance in 20 days since injuring her shoulder. Meanwhile, the Aggies gave Jill Bruins, a senior who has started only three games this year with an 11.22 ERA, the starting nod. Utah also used second baseman Kristie Keller in relief. Keller hadn't tossed an inning in a Ute uniform, but earned the 1-0 win after throwing the final two frames.

All three hurlers were impressive, with Bruins taking a no-hitter into the bottom of the sixth. But the Utes spoiled things when Kelly Matthews reached on a bouncy slap to third base and eventually scored after Staci Hemingway knocked a sacrifice fly to the warning track in center field.

"Today was the day we had picked awhile ago for Karina to come in and throw a couple innings. We weren't sure how many innings she would be able to throw and tapped her at three, but she said she felt good so we extended it a little bit," said Angie Jacobs. "Kristie Keller has been working the past couple of days on pitching she had done in the past and we opted to utilize her."

Cannon and Keller combined for a five-hit shutout in the victory. Bruins allowed two hits and recorded six strikeouts, which was three shy of her season total.

"You couldn't have asked for more out of a player," Utah State coach Candi Letts said about Bruins' effort. "When we play like this, we can play with anyone."

Up next, Utah State hosts No. 14 Hawaii for two games beginning Friday. The Utes are at BYU, which swept Utah in Salt Lake City earlier this month, on Friday and Saturday.

"We're looking forward to the opportunity to have another shot at them (BYU)," Jacobs said. "Our kids are really excited. We need to come out and be aggressive at the plate and our pitchers need to hit their spots."