Boise State Knocks Off Rams

It's just game one of a three-game series, but Boise State has beaten the best the Mountain West has to offer.

A throwing error allowed Rose Saenz to score in the bottom of the ninth to give the Lady Broncos a 3-2 win today at Dona Larsen Park.  Kacie McCarthy held Boise State hitless until the eighth inning with a 2-0 lead.  Tara Glover led off with a single, and took third on a double by Holly Bourke.  One batter later, a groundout by Mackenzie Whyte plated Glover and a single by Sarah Barnes scored Bourke to tie the score.

Saenz led off the ninth with a single then advanced to second on a walk.  She moved to third on a ground ball by Jordan Kreiger, and scored on the error.  Rebecca Patton allowed seven hits through eight innings, then Kenzie Cole came on in the ninth to pick up the victory.  

The two teams meet again tomorrow at 3 p.m.

Boise State and CSU Tied

The teams have scored runs, but they're still tied.  2-2 with Boise State batting in the bottom of the ninth.

Softball Update

Boise State finally got a hit, but we're still scoreless in the top of the eighth--the Lady Broncos and first-place Colorado State.  Two on and one out for the Rams.

Lady Broncos and First-Place Colorado State Scoreless

Well, Boise State has struggled this season and is in the lower half of the Mountain West softball standings, but right now, we have a great pitching dual happening in Boise between the Lady Broncos and the first-place Colorado State Rams.

Scoreless through six with CSU batting in the top of the seventh.  Don't you wish you were there?

Rebecca Patton of Boise State has allowed just four hits thus far, but Kacie McCarthy of Colorado State has a no-hitter through six.

Boise State Still Second at Mountain West Women's Golf Championship

The good news is that Boise State caught first-round leader and both teams are 38 over par after two days of competition at the Mountain West Conference Women's Golf Championship.

The bad news is that favorite UNLV has passed both like they were standing still and now owns a 10-stroke lead.  The third and final round will be tomorrow.  Boise State has not won a conference championship in women's golf since 1996.

Boise State and Oklahoma State Agree To Home and Home in Football

In a major coup for Boise State Athletic Director Mark Coyle, the Broncos and Oklahoma State have agreed to a home-and-home series in football beginning in 2018.

Boise State will travel to Stillwater on September 15, 2018 while the Cowboys will visit Boise in 2021.  

"We're excited about the opportunity to bring Oklahoma State to Bronco Stadium," Boise State Director of Athletics Mark Coyle said. "Boise State has proven it will play high-level competition, but our goal is to continue to schedule home-and-home series, so Bronco Nation has the opportunity to see these games in Boise."

The Broncos have also recently announced home-and-home series with Virginia (2015 and 2017) and Florida State (2019 and 2020) of the Atlantic Coast Conference, and Connecticut (2014 and 2018) of the American Athletic Conference.

Boise State has a 2-0 record against Big 12 Conference teams with both wins coming in the postseason.  The Broncos  defeated Iowa State 34-16 in the 2002 Humanitarian Bowl, and knocked off Oklahoma 43-42 in overtime at the 2007 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.

Boise State Still 12 Over at MWC Women's Golf Championships

Boise State is golfing well now, going par for the last several holes to stay 12 over for the day.  The Lady Broncos are now just two strokes in back of Fresno State, gaining seven on the Bulldogs in the last four holes.  The story of the day, though, is UNLV.  As we have been pointing out, it's the Rebels that are shining on this day, just two over par through 17 holes today.  UNLV is now 28 over par for the tournament and owns a four-stroke lead over Fresno State and they have six strokes on Boise State.  UNLV started the day eight strokes back, so they have outplayed Fresno State by 12 strokes today.

Boise State is 10 strokes up on #55 San Diego State.

Boise State 12 Strokes Over

The Broncos are golfing about like they did yesterday.  The difference is that yesterday, the course was tough and today it's playing much easier.  UNLV has taken advantage, and is only four over on the day through 15 holes.  The Rebels have come to move up the ladder and they are doing just that, moving past Boise State and within two strokes of Fresno State, which is 28 over par for the championship thus far.  

The Broncos are four back of UNLV, seven ahead of #55 San Diego State and 10 strokes ahead of fifth-place Nevada.

Nevada Beats Boise State 4-2

Nevada rallied for four singles victories out of five matches to defeat Boise State today 4-2 and advance to the semifinals of the Mountain West Women's Tennis championships in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

The Broncos won the doubles point, then were dominated by the Wolf Pack players in singles.  Michelle Okhremchuck surrendered the first set to Boise State's Marlena Pietzuch 6-4, then it was all Okhremchuck, sho won the last two sets 6-3 and 6-2.

Boise State could have scored a third point, but Manuela Pietzuch, who won her opening set 6-0, lost a second set tiebreaker, 7-6.

MWC Women's Golf Update

Boise State now 10 over today and the Lady Broncos and UNLV are at 32 over for the tournament, nine strokes behind off the pace set by Fresno State.  Nevada is golfing well now and is four strokes behind San Diego State (+35) for fourth.

The Pietzuchs

Marlena continues to trail a break at #1 singles and will serve, down 5-2.  She must win her match for her team to win.  Sister Manuela is locked up in a second set tie-breaker after winning the first set easily 6-0.  Manuela must also win for Boise State to advance.

Lalone Rebounds for 6-4, 6-3 Win

The two tennis players at #4 singles traded breaks in the final moments, and that gave Megan LaLone a 6-4, 6-3 victory.  Boise State now trails Nevada 3-2.

However, Marlena Pietzuch has surrendered a break at #1 singles and trails 4-1 in the third and final set.  Both remaining Broncos (coincidentally the Pietzuch twins) must win for Boise State to advance and this is a significant turn of events with first Sandy Vo losing at #2 and now Marlena falling behind at #1.

LaLone Gives Up Her Break at #4 Singles

Boise State being taken to the mat, and we're not talking wrestling.  After winning the doubles point, the Lady Broncos have lost three consecutive singles matches.  Sandy Vo was up a break in the second set and ended up losing.  Megan LaLone was up a break at #4 singles trying to beat Shelia Smiley but has now given that up and leads 4-3.

It's going to be decided by the third set by the Pietzuch twins at #1 and #6 singles, and LaLone has to win her match as well.  LaLone won last week 6-4, 6-0.

Sandy Vo Goes Down

In a big blow to Boise State's hopes of beating Nevada, #2 singles player Sandy Vo has lost, 6-4, 6-4.  She defeated the same opponent, Emma Verberne, 6-3, 7-5 last week.

Nevada now leads 3-1 and is one match away from victory.

A Six-Team Race at the MWC Women's Golf Championships

Boise State now eight over par (+30 overall), losing strokes on the holes in which UNLV gained them.  Good news from the Rebel front:  UNLV has lost strokes on holes 10 and 11 and is five over.

Boise State has the second-best score thus far at eight over.  Fresno State (+23 overall) and UNLV (+31) are tied at five over, but UNLV has played three more holes thus far and has clearly stepped up today.

Watson Loses

Sammie Watson has lost at #5 singles, 6-2, 6-4 at the MWC Women's Tennis Championships in Colorado Springs.  That is the identical score that Juliette Legendre of Nevada beat her last week in Boise.

Nevada now leads the match 2-1 after capturing both singles matches decided thus far.  Boise State won the doubles point, but has yet to carry the momentum over to singles play.

Sandy Vo has just given up her break at #2 singles and trails 5-4 to Emma Verberne of Nevada.

Four matches remain and Boise State must win three of them.  They're going to a third set at #1 singles, Vo trails 5-4 at #2 singles, Megan LaLone is up 3-0 in the second set trying to finish Sheila Smiley of Nevada, and Manuela Pietzuch is trying to fight off service to keep playing the second set at #6 singles, down 6-5.  Manuela won the opening set 6-0.

So the Broncos are not in trouble yet.  But they are facing a stretch in which they must gain the upper hand or lose the match.

Marlena Pietzuch Loses Second Set 6-3

Boise State's #1 singles player, Marlena Pietzuch is heading to a third set.  Pietzuch and Michelle Okhremchuk of Nevada split their first two sets, with Marlena winning 6-4 before Okhremchuck came back for a 6-3 win in the second set.  The Broncos don't have to have Pietzuch win to win the match, but it would be nice.

Morgan Basil Loses, 6-1, 6-3

Morgan Basil is the first casualty for Boise State against Nevada, losing at #3 singles, 6-1, 6-3.  She lost last week to Sophie Stevens, 6-4, 6-4.

The match is tied at one game apiece now.

Women's Tennis Update

Boise State doing better in this stretch.  Marlena Pietzuch was down two breaks at #1 singles but has earned one of those back and trails 4-3.

Sandy Vo is up a break at #2 singles at leads 4-3.

Morgan Basil was up early but has surrendered a break and trails 4-3 at #3 singles.

Megan LaLone, who won her first set, has gotten a break and leads 3-0.

Manuela Pietzuch, who won her first set 6-0 and then gave up two service breaks, has gotten one back and trails 5-4 at #6 singles.

No breaks at #5 singles, with Sammie Watson of Boise State serving, down 5-4 in the second set.  She lost the opening set 6-2 to Nevada's Juliette Legendre.

In summary, the teams split the opening sets in the six singles matches.  Nevada has three breaks in the second set to two for Boise State.

Boise State leads the team score, 1-0 after winning the doubles point.

UNLV Catches, Passes Boise State

The Broncos are doing about as well as they can at the MWC Women's Golf Championships, at six over par after eight holes.  But the conference favorite, UNLV, is finally golfing up to pre-championship expectations.  The #43 Rebels are still only one over par through nine holes and are 27 over for the tournament.  They have caught and passed Boise State, which is 28 over and is also one hole behind UNLV.  

Fresno State is still in first, 22 strokes over par, while San Diego State is in fourth, 31 over.

Basil and Manuela Pietzuch Give Up Breaks

For Manuela at #6 singles, it's her second of the second set after beating Caroline Konigsfeldt 6-0 in the first set.  Morgan Basil had a 2-1 lead but after losing serve, trails 3-2.  

Nevada now leads the second set in four of the six matches.  The only ones with no break are #2 singles, in which Sandy Vo is up a break 2-1, and #4 singles, which hasn't started their second set yet.

Vo Loses 6-4

So the opening sets in all six singles matches are complete at the MWC Women's Tennis Championships.  Boise State won three and Nevada won three.  That's exactly what Boise State needs to do to defeat the Wolf Pack, but things aren't so rosy in the second sets, where Nevada leads in five of the six matches.

Lady Bronco Golfers Now Just One Stroke Ahead of UNLV

Boise State didn't gain over the last few holes and is now four over par, just one stroke overall ahead of #43 UNLV.  If you're going to beat a nationally-regarded team, it's best to maintain a huge lead over them.  But again, Boise State hasn't won a conference title in women's golf since 1994 and it would take a miracle to do it this year.

LaLone Wins Opening Set 6-4

Morgan LaLone came through with a late 6-4 win in the opening set at #4 singles, meaning three Broncos have won their opening sets against Nevada.  That is how many Broncos need to win their singles matches for the team to advance to tomorrow's semifinal.

In the only other match in which they are still playing the first set, Sandy Vo trails 5-4 at #2 singles.

In the second set, Manuela Pietzuch, who won her opening set 6-0 at #6 singles, has surrendered a break and trails 4-1.  And, Morgan Basil, who lost her opening set 6-1, has given up a break and trails 3-2 in the second set.  Marlena Pietzuch, who just minutes ago won the opening set at #1 singles, 6-4, gave up serve in the opening game of the second set and trails 1-0.  Three Broncos already down in their respective second sets.

Both Pietzuch Sisters Win Opening Set

With a late rally, Marlena Pietzuch has won the opening set at #1 singles at the 2013 Mountain West Conference Women's Tennis Championships.  Pietzuch defeated Michelle Okhremchuck of Nevada 6-4.  Sister Manuela Pietzuch was the first to record an opening-set win with a 6-0 result at #6 singles.

Nevada has won two opening sets--at #3 singles where Sophie Stevens stopped Morgan Basil 6-1, and at #5 singles, where Juliette Legendre downed Sammie Watson of Boise State 6-2.

Sandy Vo is down a break at #2 singles and trails 5-4 with Emma Verberne serving for the set. In the only other singles match, Sheila Smiley of Nevada leads Megan LaLone 3-2 with no breaks there.

Boise State leads the match 1-0 after winning the doubles point.

LaLone and Pietzuch Get Breaks

Megan LaLone has gone out in front of her opponent 5-4, getting back one of the breaks she lost earlier at #4 singles.  Meanwhile, Marlena Pietzuch has a 5-4 lead at #1 singles and is serving for the set.

Bad Stretch for Lady Bronco Netters

After winning the doubles point, Boise State put themselves in good position in the opening round of the MWC Women's Tennis Championship.  Things are going South for the moment, however.

After Manuela Pietzuch provided inspiration to her teammates with a 6-0 opening-set win, the Lady Broncos have responded by losing two opening sets, and now Sandy Vo is down a break at #2 singles, 4-3.  Vo defeated the same opponent last week 6-3, 7-5.  That means that Marlena Pietzuch and Megan LaLone must both win, or one of the players who lost or are losing their opening set must rally.

Fresno State Loses A Couple Strokes

Fresno State, the leader in the clubhouse yesterday, is now five strokes over par in the second round of the MWC Women's Golf Championships.  Boise State is still two over after six holes and trails the Bulldog women by one stroke.  

However, #43 UNLV has outplayed both today and is one over after eight holes.  The Rebels are just three strokes back of Boise State.

Boise State has not won a conference championship in women's golf in 18 years, nor a championship in golf in either sex since 1994.

Watson Loses Final Three Games of First Set

Sammie Watson was in her match at #5 singles against Juliette Legendre, but the Nevada netter won the final three games of the first set to take the set 6-2.

Also, Sophie Stevens continued to be the aggressor at #3 singles and downed Morgan Basil 6-1 in the first set.  Two Wolf Pack players have won opening sets to one for Boise State.  The Broncos need a split of the six singles matches to advance in the tournament.

Boise State-Nevada Women's Tennis Update

Boise State leads 1-0 having won the doubles point over Nevada.  Manuela Pietzuch of Boise State was the first singles player to win an opening set, defeating her opponent at #6 singles, 6-0.  Sophie Stevens of Nevada is up a break at #3 singles, 4-1.  Megan LaLone of Boise State had lost a break at #4 singles, but has pulled even and is serving down 3-2.

No other breaks at this time.  Marlena Pietzuch is down at #1 singles 4-3, Sandy Vo leads at #2 singles 3-2 and Sammie Watson of Boise State is trailing 3-2 at #5 singles.

Manuela Pietzuch Performing Like a Short Order Cook

The #6 singles player wasted no time in taking the first set, 6-0 over Caroline Konigsfeldt of Nevada at the MWC Women's Tennis Championships in Colorado Springs.  Unfortunately, Morgan Basil and Megan La Lone are down a break at #3 and #4 singles, respectively.

Basil Loses Serve

Morgan Basil has given up a break at #3 singles and trails 4-1.  Nevada has two breaks in singles in the opening set while Boise State has one at the MWC Women's Tennis Championships.  The Broncos have to split the six singles matches to advance to the semifinal tomorrow.

Manuela with a Break

Manuela Pietzuch has gotten the first break in singles play at the 2013 MWC Women's Tennis Championships.  Manuela is up 3-0 at #6 singles.  

Megan LaLone, however, is down 3-0 at #4 singles.  No other breaks at this time.  The Broncos won the doubles point and lead Nevada 1-0.

Lady Bronco Golfers Still in Second

Boise State is still two over after four holes today in the second round of the MWC Women's Golf Championships.  Boise State is 24 shots over par so far including yesterday's full round and the partial round today.  The Lady Broncos have the second best score of the day, tied with San Diego State and one behind #43 UNLV, which is currently one over par through eight holes.  But the Rebels were two under par through four holes, essentially meaning they have picked up three strokes on the Broncos early.

Boise State needs to pick up a stroke in the next three holes to pull even with UNLV today.

Here are the Current Standings:

1.  Fresno State (+3 today, +21 overall, fourth hole)
2.  Boise State (+2, +24, fifth hole)
3.  San Diego State (+2, +26, sixth hole)
4.  UNLV (+1, +27, seventh hole)
5.  Nevada (+5, +33, eighth hole)
6.  Colorado State (+10, +38, ninth hole)
7.  New Mexico (+11, +46, 10th hole)
8.  Wyoming (+13, +68, 11th hole)

Boise State Currently #89 in Learfield Cup

Boise State is awaiting the release of the Final Winter Standings for the 2012-2013 Learfield Cup today.  The Cup awards a trophy at the end of each school year to the school with the best overall athletic program.  Because they field a quality team in nearly every eligible sport, Stanford wins it nearly every year.

Boise State moved from #114 to #89 in the last Standings released on April 11 because of a 19th-place finish at the NCAA Wrestling Championships.  The Broncos received 55 points for their performance there.  

After today's report, just the spring sports remain in the competition.

Boise State Lady Broncos Two Over

Boise State is now two over par today after three holes in the second round of the Mountain West Women's Golf Championship.  As a result, the Broncos are now just one stroke up on #55 San Diego State and two strokes ahead of #43 UNLV.  Fresno State is three over and continues to lead the competition with a team score of 21 over par.  Boise State is 24 over thus far.

As a comparison, UNLV was two under par at this point this morning, so the Rebels have gained four strokes on Boise State in the first three holes.  UNLV, however, lost three strokes on the next four holes so there's an opportunity if the Lady Broncos can focus in the next hour.

LaLone and Oshiro Come Through

The #3 doubles team of Megan LaLone and Bobbi Oshiro have won 8-4, giving Boise State the doubles point.  The action at the 2013 Mountain West Women's Tennis Championship quarterfinal moves to the singles courts.  Last week in a 4-3 loss to Nevada, the Broncos lost the doubles point.  Still gotta' keep the pressure on through singles.

Boise State Softball Team Hosts Colorado State at 3 P.M. Today

The Bronco softball team has found the going tough in Mountain West, as we told you after they had lost to Big Sky teams earlier in the year.  Boise State must sweep first-place Colorado State this weekend to crawl back in the race.  First pitch today is at 3 at Dona Larsen Park.

Basil & Vo Win 8-5

The Bronco #2 doubles team has won 8-5, reversing a loss to these same opponents less than one week ago in Boise.  The Broncos have one in the bag and need one more doubles win to secure the point.

Boise State Women Golfers One Over Today Thus Far

The Broncos are finally in action, having to wait until the lower-ranked teams got far enough along in the course.  Boise State and Fresno State are both one over through two holes--the Bulldogs still lead at 19 over par, Boise State is 23 over while UNLV and San Diego State, the favorites, are moving up fast from behind, both at 24 over.

Bronco #2 and #3 Doubles Team Up Two Breaks

The Bronco #3 doubles team of LaLone and Oshiro is now up two breaks, 7-4 over Konigsfeldt and Smiley of Nevada and is serving for the match.

Boise State's #2 team of Basil and Vo is also up two breaks  with a 7-4 lead.  Their Nevada counterparts beat them 9-8 in the regular season finale less than a week ago.

The Pietzuch twins just surrendered a break and trail at #1 doubles, 5-4.

Boise State-Nevada Update

LaLone and Oshiro have scored the first break of the morning and the Bronco doubles team leads 3-2.

Basil and Vo have also gotten a break and they lead at #2 doubles 3-2.

Boise State-Nevada

The Pietzuch twins are underway at #1 doubles against Nevada in the 2013 MWC Quarterfinals and lead 2-1.  Morgan Basil and Sandy Vo of Boise State are down 2-1 at #2 doubles, but there have been no breaks in any of the three doubles matches thus far.

Current Standings in MWC Women's Golf Championships

Fresno State, Boise State and San Diego State, the first three finishers in yesterday's opening round, have yet to tee off.

#43 UNLV is still two under today for a total score of 22 over par.  Colorado State is two over (+30), Nevada is in sixth (+3, +31), then it's New Mexico (+9, +44) and Wyoming (+11, +66).  If UNLV continues to golf like this, and they're still under par after four holes, they're easily going to move into the lead.

Fresno State finished yesterday 18 strokes over par so that is a good benchmark to compare the teams already underway today.  Boise State was 22 over yesterday while #55 San Diego State was +24.

Underway in Colorado Springs

Boise State and Nevada have begun play in their quarterfinal matchup in the Mountain West Women's Tennis Championships.  Megan LaLone and Bobbi Oshiro of Boise State are behind Caroline Konigsfeldt and Sheila Smiley 2-1 at #3 doubles with no breaks thus far.

Bettles Named Mountain West Player of the Year

The Mountain West Conference named Andy Bettles of Boise State as the 2013 Men's Tennis Player of the Year yesterday.  Nathan Sereke joined Bettles on the All-Mountain West Singles Team and the duo was also named to the Doubles Team.

Bettles was 21-5 this spring while Sereke was 12-8.  The pair combined for a 15-8 record at #1 doubles for Boise State.

Bettles and Sereke will be counted on if the Broncos are to capture the team championship this weekend.

Manuela Pietzuch, Marlena Pietzuch and Sandy Vo Named All-Mountain West

Three Lady Broncos have been recognized by the Mountain West Conference as All-Conference performers, according to the league office.

Senior Marlena Pietzuch was named to both the All-MWC Women's Tennis singles and doubles teams, the third straight year Marlena has been honored in doubles and the second time in doubles with her twin sister Manuela.  Marlena has a record of 104-46 in her Bronco career.

Sandy Vo earned all-conference in singles, giving the junior her first post-season recognition.  Vo is 10-3 this spring at #2 singles.

Manuela Pietzuch transferred to Boise State as a junior and with sister Marlena, the Pietzuch twins are 23-18 the past two seasons.

Boise State meets Nevada this morning at 10 in the opening round of the MWC Tournament.

#43 UNLV Moves Two Strokes Back of Boise State

Favored UNLV has awakened this morning after finding itself in fourth place after the opening day of the MWC Women's Golf Championships.  Just two holes in today, the Rebel women are two under par and are now just two strokes behind second-place Boise State.  The Broncos are still waiting to tee off.

Boise State Women's Tennis Team Set to Take On Nevada

Boise State, seeded fifth in the Mountain West women's tennis championships, will meet the four seed Nevada Wolf Pack in Colorado Springs.  The action gets underway at 10 Mountain Time and, as you expect, Blue Through and Through will cover it better than anyone in Idaho.

Bronco Tennis Team Advances to Semifinal with 4-1 Win Over Air Force

Boise State's tennis team wasted no time in advancing to the semifinals of the Mountain West Tennis Tournament in Colorado.  The Broncos downed host Air Force 4-1 yesterday with the only loss being in the one place you wouldn't expect.

Garrett Patton and Scott Sears won at #2 doubles 9-8 and Toby Mitchell joined with Aidan Reid at #3 doubles to win 9-8, clinching the doubles point for coach Greg Patton's team.

Thomas Tenreiro won for the 16th straight time at #5 singles with a straight-set 6-3, 6-0 victory to put Boise State up 2-0.  Then, Andy Bettles, the #36-ranked player in the nation, lost in straight sets to #98 Lance Wilhelm of Air Force 6-3, 6-2.  Nathan Sereke put away Steven Young at #2 singles, 6-2, 7-5, and Garrett Patton topped Andrew Parks 7-5, 6-4 to give Boise State the team victory.  

The Broncos will take on UNLV Saturday at 2 p.m. in the semifinal.  The Broncos defeated the Rebels earlier in the year 5-2.

No. 46 Boise State 4, Air Force 1
Doubles
1. Wilhelm/Taylor (AF) def. Bettles/Sereke, 8-6
2. Patton/Sears (BSU) def. Grubbs/McCullers, 9-8
3. Mitchell/Reid (BSU) def. Jackson/Young, 9-8

Singles
1. No. 98 Lance Wilhelm (AF) def. No. 36  Andy Bettles (Boise State), 6-3, 6-2
2.  Nathan Sereke (Boise State) def. Steven Young, 6-2, 7-5
3.  Scott Sears (Boise State) vs. Grant Taylor, DNF
4. Filipp Pogostkin (Boise State) vs. Alex Grubbs, DNF
5.  Thomas Tenreiro (Boise State) def. Andy Jackson, 6-3, 6-0
6.  Garrett Patton (Boise State) def. Andrew Parks, 7-5, 6-4

Second Round of MWC Women's Golf Underway

Boise State did tremendous yesterday, considering they are ranked about #159 in the nation.  The Lady Broncos were ahead for much of the day before finishing the first 18 holes in second place behind Fresno State.  Realistically, you can't expect the team to play over their heads like this for the entire Championship, but we'll update you as to their progress today.  The teams are just getting going with inverted order of yesterday's finish.