April 18, 2008

Box Score

GREELEY, Colo. - A pair of early leads dwindled as Utah Valley fell twice to Northern Colorado, 7-6 and 6-2 after leading in each contest.

The Wolverines got off to quick starts in each game but saw the Bears respond with big innings to erase UV leads and pick up victories.

"We got off to quick starts again," UV head coach Todd Fairbourne said. "We were just unable to shut the door on them."

UV's Natalie Nance provided a bright spot for the Wolverines as she entered game two down 6-2 and with UNC runners on base. Nance got out of the jam unscathed and went on to pitch three scoreless innings, surrendering just one hit while striking out five.

"Natalie pitched very well for us tonight," Fairbourne said. "She pitched her best game of the year."

In game one, the Wolverines jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first when Kylee Steadman delivered in a bases loaded, two out situation. Steadman came through with a bases-clearing triple to put UV ahead early.

After the Bears scored two in the home side of the the first, the Wolverines extended their lead in the second. Cherylyn McGraw came through with a two-run single with two out in the inning and scored on a Heidi Stocks RBI double to extend the Utah Valley lead to 6-2.

Northern Colorado came back with three in the bottom of the third and tied the game in the bottom of the fourth with a solo home run. The game remained tied until the bottom of the seventh when the Bears scored on a Wolverine error.

In game two, the Wolverines got their two runs in the top of the first scoring on a wild pitch and a RBI double by Stocks to go ahead 2-0. From there, UV was held off the score board as the Wolverines only managed three hits in the game.

UV held the lead until the bottom of the third when the Bears score three runs in the third and fourth innings before Nance entered the game and shut UNC down. The 6-2 Bears lead held up.

The same two teams will play again tomorrow in a double header beginning at 12 p.m. (MT)