Utah Utes campus briefs

SOFTBALL: Utah senior center fielder Kara Foster was named Mountain West Conference Co-Player of the Week, the league office announced Tuesday.

This was Foster's first honor of the season and the fourth time in her career.

Foster, a Derby, Kan. native, batted .571 (8-for-14) with two home runs, two doubles, seven RBI and six runs scored as Utah swept doubleheaders vs. Southern Utah and Weber State last week.

In game one Tuesday against Southern Utah, she went 1-for-3 with a homer, three RBI and two runs scored in a 12-0, five-inning win. She followed with a 3-for-3, one RBI, one run scored performance in a 14-0, five-inning game two win over the Thunderbirds.

In the Utes' 2-1, game one win Friday over Weber State, Foster went 1-for-4 with a double then followed that performance with a 3-for-4 effort in Utah's 10-4 game-two victory, belting her second homer of the week while tallying three RBI and three runs scored.

On the week, Foster had a 1.143 slugging percentage and a .571 on-base percentage.

Sophomore left fielder Hannah Clements hit a pair of solo home runs as the University of Utah softball team was defeated 2-1 in the first game and won 6-3 in the second game of a doubleheader Tuesday at Mountain Cove Park.

Utah (17-18) was led offensively throughout the day by Clements, who went 3-for-5 at the plate, including a double, two home runs that broke up no-hitters for Boise State pitchers, and three RBI. Clements had three home runs all of last season and now owns eight for her career. She is also tied for second place on the team for homers this season.

Sophomore third baseman Whitney Holm had two hits with three RBI while freshman shortstop Kelsi Hoopiiaina drove in two runs.

Senior right-hander Ashley Smuda moved to 14-8 this season after earning the decision in both games. She allowed only one run on two hits in 6.1 innings of work with four strikeouts. Sophomore Brittany Parker totaled five innings, giving up one run on four hits to along with four strikeouts.

The Utes begin Mountain West Conference action by taking on BYU in the first game of the Deseret First Duel series on Friday. First pitch from Gail Miller Field is set for 6 p.m.