Montana drops doubleheader to Utah

Wednesday, April 15

Salt Lake City, Utah

3 PM

Montana

15-27

Utah

28-15-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Montana	0	3	0	0	0	0	0	3	6	1
Utah	0	3	0	4	0	0	X	7	8	0

The University of Montana Grizzly softball team defeats Portland State at a home game on March 29, 2026 in Missoula, MT.

Photo by: Marley Barboeisel/University of

4/15/2026 9:22:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

By: Montana Sports Information

The Montana softball team dropped both games of its doubleheader at Utah on Wednesday, losing 7-3 and 7-0 to the Utes at Dumke Family Stadium in Salt Lake City.

Taking on the team that knocked off then-No. 1 Texas Tech on the same field just four days earlier, the Grizzlies (15-28) let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers in the opener.

Facing Hailey Maestretti, who shut out the Red Raiders on Saturday over seven innings, Montana went up 3-0 in the top of the second on four hits.

Kailee Mejia and JoJo Christians led off the inning with singles. Jessica Cherms followed with an RBI single, Brianna Gutierrez with a sacrifice fly and Mackenzie Bekofsky with an RBI single.

"We showed up and competed with them in Game 1," said coach Stef Ewing. "We weren't intimidated by playing a Big 12 team. We were right in that game. We had some opportunities."

After starter Audri Elias got two outs in the bottom of the second, she allowed a second runner to reach, then Mia Gomez hit a game-tying three-run home run.

"After we scored the three runs, it was like we hit a mid-game lull," said Ewing. "We're still learning how to be full steam ahead the entire game.

"I think we looked up and were a little surprised about what we were doing instead of continuing to do what we do. You have to have the ability to not get caught up in what's going on and continue to go."

It was a tie game in the bottom of the fourth when Utah loaded the bases with nobody out.

Carah Sweet, in relief, got a pair of shallow flyouts that kept the bases loaded but a two-out line drive that went off a Montana glove at third scored two. Another two-out hit scored two more.

All seven of Utah's runs in Game 1 came with two outs. The Utes were 7 for 13 with two outs, 3 for 7 with runners in scoring position.

"It's right there. When we have those opportunities, we have to be able to close the door," said Ewing. "We're leaving the door open a little too long for teams."

Cherms and Bekofsky both had two-hit games. Montana left runners on base in three of the last four innings but could not cut into Utah's lead.

Facing Utah pitchers Shelbee Jones and Raci Miranda in Game 2, Montana struck out a dozen times, its second-highest total of the season.

Montana had just three hits. Mejia extended her hitting streak to eight games with a single, Hailey Boer had her first collegiate extra-base hit with a double and Christiaens hit a double in the sixth.

Cameryn Ortega got the start and kept it to a 4-0 game going to the fifth.

"We saw some firmer pitching today than we've seen all year," said Ewing. "Cam threw really well today and I thought Audri threw really well.

"For Cam to hold them to four runs through four innings, we have to be better than that offensively. I'm not satisfied with how we played today. I think we could have done a lot of things better."

Utah hit a pair of home runs in the fifth, one off Ortega, one off Kaiana Kong in relief, to build its lead to 7-0.

Montana will return to Big Sky Conference play on Friday when the Grizzlies open a three-game series at Weber State.