April 22, 2007

Box Score

Greeley, Colo. - Solid pitching and the long ball led Utah Valley to a double header split with Northern Colorado with a 7-3 win before losing 4-3 in eight innings in the second game.

The Wolverines (22-27) got strong pitching performances from Ashly Forsberg and Jackie Roberts. Forsberg picked up the victory in the first game while Roberts took the tough-luck loss in game two.

Heidi Boyer and Corie Jensen helped provide the offensive support in game one as each blasted a home run. UV jumped out to a quick lead in the first inning when Jensen hit a three-run blast to put the Wolverines ahead, 3-0.

Two innings later, Boyer added another run with her own homer, a solo shot to center field. UV extended its lead to 7-0 in the fifth frame when it put together three runs on four hits. Natalie Paulsen delivered a two-run single for the Wolverines.

Meanwhile, Forsberg coasted, allowing only one hit over the first five innings.

"Forsberg pitched very well today," head coach Todd Fairbourne said. "The only runs she gave up were unearned."

In the second game, pitching dominated as the Wolverines only managed seven hits. Northern Colorado jumped ahead 1-0 in the bottom of the first, scoring its first of three unearned runs.

"Jackie (Roberts) pitched a great game for us," Fairbourne said. "Several defensive miscues led to unearned runs."

UV jumped ahead in the top of the fourth frame, scoring three runs on a Sara Roskelley three-run home run. Jensen singled to lead off the fifth and was followed by a Jamie Tonis single before Roskelley hit the three-run bomb.

The Bears added an unearned run in each of the sixth and the seventh innings to tie the game at three and force extra innings. Northern Colorado ended the game with a two-out, RBI double in the bottom of the eighth.

The Wolverines have the week off before they play at BYU on May 1.