SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, May 11, 2024 (Gephardt Daily) — The University of Utah softball team fell just short in its bid to repeat as Pac-12 Conference Tournament champions, dropping a 2-1 decision to UCLA in the title game Saturday night.
Sophomore Karlie Davison delivered a game-tying, pinch-hit home run in the top fifth inning to tie the game, but a home run by UCLA’s Sharlize Palacios in the bottom of the sixth proved to to be the difference.
Senior pitcher Mariah Lopez allowed two runs on just four hits while striking out five in six innings of work, but the Utes (34-20) managed just three hits in the loss at Boyd and Jill Smith Family Stadium in Stanford, California.
Lopez, junior outfielder Kaylah Nelsen and senior pitcher Sarah Ladd were named to the Pac-12 All-Tournament Team.
Despite the loss to UCLA (37-10), the Utes will advance to the NCAA Regionals for the second consecutive season. They’re learn who and where they’ll play when the tournament field is announced Sunday.
