Feb. 6, 2009
Box Score
ST. GEORGE, Utah - Utah Valley University's softball team won their season opener, 6-5, over in-state rival Southern Utah in come-from-behind fashion at the Red Desert Classic in St. George, Utah on Friday.
"I couldn't have asked for anything more from our team today," UVU head softball coach Todd Fairbourne said. "The kids overcame a few big obstacles and our two freshman pitchers both stepped up and did a good job for us. I thought we really played a solid game as this was our first time playing outside on the season. We swung the bats well, got a couple big hits when we needed them and came away with the win."
The Wolverines (1-0) were led at the plate by senior catcher Kylee Steadman as she went 2-for-2 with a two-run homer, a two RBI double, a walk, tallying four RBI in all. UVU junior Jessica Anderson also knocked in a run for the Wolverines as she singled into right field plating the go ahead run in Cherylyn McGraw in the fifth inning.
Southern Utah (0-3) struck first as the Thunderbirds scored a run in the top of the first as their leadoff hitter Jenavieve Purcell drew a walk off of the Wolverines starting hurler Jessica Martin and came around to score on a wild pitch. UVU quickly answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning as leadoff hitter Meghan Woodworth beat out an infield single and scored later in the frame to tie the game at one. Steadman followed her up as she slammed a drive to deep left field that hit the top of the fence and bounced over resulting in a two-run blast to put UVU up 3-1.
SUU answered back in the top of the fourth as they scored four runs to go up 5-3. In the inning Martin started to tire allowing five walks and a couple of hits resulting in the Thunderbirds taking the upper hand. UVU then brought in freshman pitcher Amanda Perez who got the Wolverines out of the jam retiring the first two batters she faced in the inning. Perez did a great job for UVU from the circle as she pitched the remainder of the game (3.2 IP) of scoreless ball, striking out three and only allowing one hit.
Utah Valley scored their final three runs in the bottom of the fifth as Magan Niemann, McGraw, and Perez all reached base to start off the inning for UVU. That's when Steadman drove in two more runs with a double to right center field. Anderson then plated Steadman as she singled into right giving UVU the lead.
The Wolverines will continue play at the Red Desert Classic in St. George, Utah Saturday as they will play two, facing off against Loyola Marymount at 11 a.m. and Idaho State at 4 p.m. UVU will their final two games of the classic Sunday, as Utah Valley will take on San Jose State at 11 a.m. and finish up against the University of Utah at 4 p.m.
