Bridges, Crump and Zell Named To All-WAC Softball Team

Three members of the Boise State softball team that narrowly missed out on winning the WAC regular season were named to the all-conference team, according to the league office.

Freshman slugger Devon Bridges and junior hurlers Allie Crump and Aubray Zell were named to the team.  Juniors Christina Capobianco and Tazz Weatherly also picked up recognition, being named to the league's second team.


Bridges paced the WAC in home runs (10), RBI's with 29 and slugging percentage (.980).  Crump hit .311 with three homers and 12 RBI's and had a 4-2 record with a 4.71 E.R.A. in conference action.  Zell was 9-2 for the Broncos with a 2.80 conference E.R.A.  


Capobianco hit .368 for Coach Erin Thorpe, with seven home runs and 21 RBI's in conference action while Weatherly hit .377 with 17 runs.


Boise State takes to the field against Louisiana Tech at 3 p.m. Mountain Time tomorrow.







All-WAC First TeamDevon Bridges, Boise StateTeresa Conrad, New Mexico State
Allie Crump, Boise StateJessica Iwata, Hawai'i
Tiare Jennings, New Mexico State
Kandis Jones, New Mexico State
Michelle Moses, Fresno State
Hoku Nohara, New Mexico State
Andrea Ortega, Fresno State
Kylie Randall, New Mexico State
Stephanie Ricketts, Hawai'i
Valerie Swedberg, New Mexico State
Aubray Zell, Boise State




Player of the Year- Jessica Iwata, Hawai'i
Pitcher of the Year: Stephanie Ricketts, Hawai'i
Freshman of the Year: Valerie Swedberg, New Mexico State

Coach of the Year: Kathy Rodolph, New Mexico State

WAC Track Championships: Idaho's Blaser Wins Decathlon

In a shocking upset, Idaho's Andrew Blaser gave a phenomenal performance in winning the decathlon and earns the title "WAC's Greatest Athlete" for the year.  Blaser upset favored David Deal of Fresno State and Jon Goble of Utah State.  Utah State gets two less points than expected, making the team race closer after one event.

1 Blaser, Andrew                       11.01    6.97m   10.72m    1.95m    50.75         14.27   32.15m    4.70m   46.80m  5:10.93
    Idaho                               w: 0.9   w: 1.1    35-02  6-04.75                 w: 2.5   105-06    15-05   153-06         
    JR Team Points: 10           7037    (858)    (807)    (529)    (758)    (780) 3732    (940)    (507)    (819)    (541)    (498)
                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  2 Noble, Philip                        11.16    6.41m   10.85m    1.80m    50.10         15.31   34.24m    4.80m   43.83m  4:25.04
    Utah State                          w: 0.9   w: 2.3 35-07.25  5-10.75                 w: 1.1   112-04    15-09   143-09         
    SR Team Points: 8            6960    (825)    (677)    (537)    (627)    (810) 3476    (812)    (548)    (849)    (498)    (777)
                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  3 Deal, David                          11.41    6.80m   11.14m    1.77m    50.87         15.67   35.41m    4.60m   51.93m  4:49.67
    Fresno State                        w: 0.9   w: 2.2 36-06.75  5-09.75                 w: 1.1   116-02    15-01   170-04         
    SR Team Points: 6            6839    (771)    (767)    (554)    (602)    (775) 3469    (770)    (572)    (790)    (617)    (621)
                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  4 Goble, Jon                           11.28    5.88m   11.52m    1.80m    52.26         15.35   37.79m    4.40m   50.29m  5:09.07
    Utah State                          w: 0.9   w: 2.1  37-09.5  5-10.75                 w: 2.5   124-00 14-05.25   165-00         
    SR Team Points: 4            6538    (799)    (561)    (577)    (627)    (713) 3277    (808)    (620)    (731)    (593)    (509)
                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  5 Bushnell, Matt                       10.89    6.73m     FOUL    1.86m    51.74         16.69   30.92m    4.60m   54.39m  5:30.48
    Fresno State                        w: 0.9   w: 2.8           6-01.25                 w: 2.5   101-05    15-01   178-05         
    SR Team Points: 2            6031    (885)    (750)      (0)    (679)    (736) 3050    (657)    (483)    (790)    (654)    (397)
                                 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  6 Johnson, John                        11.46    6.03m   10.66m    1.74m    54.02         16.77   24.32m    4.90m   44.28m  6:14.36
    Utah State                          w: 0.9   w: 0.3 34-11.75   5-08.5                 w: 1.1    79-09 16-00.75   145-03         
    SR Team Points: 1            5690    (761)    (593)    (525)    (577)    (639) 3095    (648)    (354)    (880)    (504)    (209)

WAC Softball Tournament: Louisiana Tech Downs Fresno State 2-0

Shockingly, Fresno State and Louisiana Tech were locked in a pitcher's dual in the battle of the Bulldogs in Fresno.  In Game Two of the tournament, Meghan Krieg allowed just two hits and Erin Kipp socked a two-run homer in the sixth inning to lead the upstart Bulldogs from Ruston into the semifinals.  


Louisiana Tech proved that they will be a force to be reckoned with.  They will take on #2 seed Boise State tomorrow at 3 p.m. Mountain Time, 2 p.m. Pacific.  

WAC Track Championships--Morton Places Third in Heptathlon

She was seeded fourth, so that's an extra point for Boise State.  The women were predicted to finish last, four points behind Hawai'i, so that's one point out of the way...

1 Hawkins, Chari            14.14    1.70m    9.95m    26.16         5.33m   38.09m  2:27.90
    Utah State               w: 1.0     5-07 32-07.75  w: +0.0       w: +0.0   125-00         
    FR Team Points: 10  5124  (959)    (855)    (526)    (783) 3123    (651)    (631)    (719)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  2 Jones, Jesseka            13.91    1.58m   11.70m    24.79         4.99m   35.67m  2:29.65
    Louisiana Tech           w: 0.8  5-02.25 38-04.75   w: 0.9       w: -0.1   117-00         
    JR Team Points: 8   5088  (991)    (712)    (641)    (906) 3250    (557)    (584)    (697)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  3 Morton, Alexi             14.63    1.70m   10.54m    25.92         5.72m   27.33m  2:33.08
    Boise State              w: 2.0     5-07    34-07  w: +0.0        w: 1.3    89-08         
    FR Team Points: 6   4961  (891)    (855)    (565)    (804) 3115    (765)    (426)    (655)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  4 Nichols, Sarah            15.38    1.55m   12.14m    25.93         5.05m   39.06m  2:25.72
    Nevada                   w: 0.8     5-01    39-10   w: 0.9        w: 1.0   128-02         
    JR Team Points: 5   4912  (792)    (678)    (670)    (803) 2943    (573)    (649)    (747)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  5 Pate, April               14.11    1.58m   12.72m    24.93         4.95m   28.64m  2:35.61
    Nevada                   w: 2.0  5-02.25 41-08.75  w: +0.0        w: 1.1    93-11         
    JR Team Points: 4   4898  (963)    (712)    (709)    (893) 3277    (546)    (451)    (624)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  6 Jackson, Taylor           14.57    1.55m    9.36m    25.44         5.32m   33.07m  2:25.99
    Fresno State             w: 2.0     5-01  30-08.5  w: +0.0        w: 1.6   108-06         
    FR Team Points: 3   4839  (899)    (678)    (488)    (847) 2912    (648)    (535)    (744)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  7 Meade, Zoe                15.80    1.67m   11.03m    25.11         5.40m   23.59m  2:23.43
    New Mexico St.           w: 0.8  5-05.75 36-02.25  w: +0.0        w: 0.8    77-05         
    FR Team Points: 2   4836  (739)    (818)    (597)    (877) 3031    (671)    (356)    (778)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  8 Balentine, Samantha       15.19    1.76m   10.50m    27.41         5.17m   29.84m  2:34.26
    Hawaii                   w: 0.8  5-09.25  34-05.5   w: 0.9        w: 1.0    97-11         
    SO Team Points: 1   4705  (817)    (928)    (562)    (678) 2985    (606)    (474)    (640)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
  9 Morrison, Kaleigh         15.67    1.67m    9.77m    27.91         5.37m   35.84m  2:41.91
    Hawaii                   w: 1.0  5-05.75 32-00.75   w: 0.9        w: 0.9   117-07         
    FR                  4527  (755)    (818)    (514)    (638) 2725    (663)    (588)    (551)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 10 Anderson, Alexa           15.88    1.46m   10.80m    27.01         5.25m   32.70m  2:34.64
    Nevada                   w: 1.0   4-09.5 35-05.25   w: 0.9        w: 0.9   107-03         
    JR                  4391  (729)    (577)    (582)    (711) 2599    (628)    (528)    (636)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 11 Schiess, Jennifer         15.71    1.64m    9.93m    28.37         4.64m   33.97m  2:40.28
    Utah State               w: 2.0   5-04.5    32-07  w: +0.0        w: 2.4   111-05         
    JR                  4246  (750)    (783)    (525)    (602) 2660    (464)    (552)    (570)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------
 12 Una'Dia, Sarah            15.54    1.55m    7.85m    27.78         4.80m   22.70m  2:35.68
    Fresno State             w: 1.0     5-01 25-09.25   w: 0.9        w: 2.4    74-06         
    FR                  3956  (772)    (678)    (390)    (648) 2488    (506)    (339)    (623)
                        ----------------------------------------------------------------------

Morton 6th in 800

It looks like Morton will finish third.  I will check for sure.

Finals                                                                 
  1 Meade, Zoe                FR New Mexico St.         2:23.43     778
  2 Nichols, Sarah            JR Nevada                 2:25.72     747
  3 Jackson, Taylor           FR Fresno State           2:25.99     744
  4 Hawkins, Chari            FR Utah State             2:27.90     719
  5 Jones, Jesseka            JR Louisiana Tech         2:29.65     697
  6 Morton, Alexi             FR Boise State            2:33.08     655
  7 Balentine, Samantha       SO Hawaii                 2:34.26     640
  8 Anderson, Alexa           JR Nevada                 2:34.64     636
  9 Pate, April               JR Nevada                 2:35.61     624
 10 Una'Dia, Sarah            FR Fresno State           2:35.68     623
 11 Schiess, Jennifer         JR Utah State             2:40.28     570
 12 Morrison, Kaleigh         FR Hawaii                 2:41.91     551

Morton 10th in Javelin

Morton did lead the competition but stumbled in this event.

Finals                                                                           
  1 Nichols, Sarah            JR Nevada                  39.06m     128-02    649
      34.31m  36.70m  39.06m                                                     
  2 Hawkins, Chari            FR Utah State              38.09m     125-00    631
      31.13m  38.09m  30.27m                                                     
  3 Morrison, Kaleigh         FR Hawaii                  35.84m     117-07    588
      35.84m  FOUL  FOUL                                                         
  4 Jones, Jesseka            JR Louisiana Tech          35.67m     117-00    584
      34.77m  35.67m  35.20m                                                     
  5 Schiess, Jennifer         JR Utah State              33.97m     111-05    552
      33.53m  33.97m  29.92m                                                     
  6 Jackson, Taylor           FR Fresno State            33.07m     108-06    535
      32.85m  31.19m  33.07m                                                     
  7 Anderson, Alexa           JR Nevada                  32.70m     107-03    528
      26.67m  32.70m  26.24m                                                     
  8 Balentine, Samantha       SO Hawaii                  29.84m      97-11    474
      29.84m  FOUL  27.67m                                                       
  9 Pate, April               JR Nevada                  28.64m      93-11    451
      27.89m  25.55m  28.64m                                                     
 10 Morton, Alexi             FR Boise State             27.33m      89-08    426
      FOUL  FOUL  27.33m                                                         
 11 Meade, Zoe                FR New Mexico St.          23.59m      77-05    356
      22.18m  22.17m  23.59m                                                     
 12 Una'Dia, Sarah            FR Fresno State            22.70m      74-06    339
      19.39m  22.70m  FOUL   

1.  Chari Hawkins, Utah State (4,405)
2.  Jesseka Jones,Louisiana Tech (4,391)
3.  Alexi Morton, Boise State (4,306)
4.  April Pate, Nevada (4,274)
5.  Sarah Nichols, Nevada (4,165)
6.  Taylor Jackson, Fresno State (4,095)
7.  Zoe Meade, New Mexico State (4,058)
8.  Samantha Balentine, Hawai'i (4,065)
9.  Kaleigh Morrison, Hawai'i (3,976)
10.  Alexa Anderson, Nevada (3,755)
11.  Jennifer Schiess, Utah State (3,676)
12.  Sarah Una'dia (3,333)

Think Positive Thoughts for the Boise State Softball Team!

The way I have it projected, Boise State should finish third in the WAC Softball Tournament.  I would love for the team to prove me wrong.  And don't be mistaken; I have been saying all season long that the Broncos had an excellent chance to win the championship, either in the regular season or the tournament.  They couldn't quite get over the hump in Las Cruces, but don't count them out, especially since the tournament is a one-game playoff in each round.

I know they would love to have another shot at New Mexico State but I have them losing to Fresno State and not reaching the championship game.  Again, it could go either way so keep your best thoughts directed towards the Boise State softball team.

WAC Heptathlon: Boise State's Alexi Morton Wins Long Jump

Boise State freshman Alexi Morton has won the long jump at the WAC Track Championships in the Heptathlon, and by a wide margin.  Once again, this blog was first in the Boise Valley to tell you this news--6:28 p.m. Wednesay night:

Finals                                                                               
  1 Morton, Alexi             FR Boise State              5.72m   1.3  18-09.25    765
     5.71m(1.5) 5.62m(2.4) 5.72m(1.3)                                                
  2 Meade, Zoe                FR New Mexico St.           5.40m   0.8  17-08.75    671
     5.20m(0.7) 5.38m(1.7) 5.40m(0.8)                                                
  3 Morrison, Kaleigh         FR Hawaii                   5.37m   0.9  17-07.50    663
     5.20m(1.4) 5.37m(0.9) 5.18m(1.1)                                                
  4 Hawkins, Chari            FR Utah State               5.33m  +0.0  17-06.00    651
     5.12m(2.2) 5.26m(+0.0) 5.33m(+0.0)                                              
  5 Jackson, Taylor           FR Fresno State             5.32m   1.6  17-05.50    648
     5.15m(+0.0) 5.32m(1.6) 5.25m(0.3)                                               
  6 Anderson, Alexa           JR Nevada                   5.25m   0.9  17-02.75    628
     FOUL      5.25m(0.9) 5.19m(0.9)                                                 
  7 Balentine, Samantha       SO Hawaii                   5.17m   1.0  16-11.50    606
     4.92m(0.9) 5.17m(1.0) 4.87m(0.2)                                                
  8 Nichols, Sarah            JR Nevada                   5.05m   1.0  16-07.00    573
     FOUL      5.05m(1.0) FOUL                                                       
  9 Jones, Jesseka            JR Louisiana Tech           4.99m  -0.1  16-04.50    557
     4.62m(1.4) 4.99m(-0.1) 4.73m(1.3)                                               
10 Pate, April               JR Nevada                   4.95m   1.1  16-03.00    546
     FOUL      4.95m(1.1) FOUL                                                       
11 Una'Dia, Sarah            FR Fresno State             4.80m   2.4  15-09.00    506
     4.80m(2.4) FOUL      FOUL                                                       
12 Schiess, Jennifer         JR Utah State               4.64m   2.4  15-02.75    464
     4.44m(0.3) 4.64m(2.4) FOUL     


Morton moves temporarily into first place with two events left, although this event and the high jump are her best.

1.  Alexi Morton, Boise State (3,880)
2.  April Pate, Nevada (3,823)
3.  Jesseka Jones,Louisiana Tech (3,807)
4.  Chari Hawkins, Utah State (3,774)
5.  Zoe Meade, New Mexico State (3,702)
6.  Samantha Balentine, Hawai'i (3,591)
7.  Taylor Jackson, Fresno State (3,560)
8.  Sarah Nichols, Nevada (3,516)
9.  Kaleigh Morrison, Hawai'i (3,388)
10.  Alexa Anderson, Nevada (3,227)
11.  Jennifer Schiess, Utah State (3,124)
12.  Sarah Una'dia (2,994)

WAC Track Championships--Decathlon

Standings after 7 events now:

1.  Andrew Blaser, Idaho (5,179)
2.  Philip Noble, Utah State (4,836)
3.  David Deal, Fresno State (4,811)
4.  Jon Goble, Utah State (4,705)
5.  Matt Bushnell, Fresno State (4,190)
6.  John Johnson, Utah State (4,097)

WAC Softball Tournament: Hawai'i beats Utah State 6-1

Game One is underway in Fresno between #4 Hawai'i and #5 Utah State.  Hawai'i leads it 6-1 in the top of the sixth.  The winner gets #1 seed New Mexico State tomorrow at 12:30 Mountain Time, 11:30 Pacific.

Makani Duhaylonsod had two hits to pace the Hawai'i hitting attack and catcher Shara Kliebenstein blasted a two-run homer in the fourth for insurance.  Ace pitcher Stephanie Ricketts allowed eight hits, including three to load the bases in the seventh, for the victory.