March 20, 2009
Game One Box Score
Game Two Box Score
OREM, Utah - Utah Valley University's softball team won its home opener but then fell in game two of a doubleheader against Northern Colorado at MSTAR Field on Friday, 10-2 (6 inn.) and 7-5.
The Wolverines (9-12) took early control in game number one on the afternoon scoring two runs in the first. The Bears countered in the second with a run of their own. Game one remained with the 2-1 score until UVU's offense got something going in the fifth as it scored five runs. The Wolverines then sealed the deal in the bottom of the sixth scoring three more runs, giving them the eight run rule victory.
"We came out and hit the ball today," UVU head coach Todd Fairbourne said. "We pounded out a number of hits in the first game and I was amazed going into the last of the seventh in game two down six runs that we almost came away with that win as well. We were right where we wanted to be, but just couldn't come up with the big blow. Tomorrow we want to come out and win the first game so that we can have a chance to win three-out-of-four."
In game number one Utah Valley senior catcher Kylee Steadman led the way going a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate with a double, two singles, a walk, and 3 RBI. In the first inning when the Wolverines took the early 2-0 advantage it was Steadman that drove in both of those runs with a solid single into center field. She drove Meghan Woodworth who had singled and Magan Niemann who reached base earlier in the frame via the hit by pitch.
In the bottom of the fifth Utah Valley banged out seven hits and drove home five runs. Woodworth started off the inning with a single. Lauren Augino bunted her over and then Niemann walked. UVU then had back-to-back-to-back doubles followed by two singles as Cherylyn McGraw doubled home a run, as did Steadman, followed by Jessica Anderson. Amanda Perez then singled up the middle and Amber Sackett followed with an RBI single through the left side of the infield.
The next inning the Wolverines scored three more to win the game via the eight-run rule. Freshman Jessica Martin pitched the complete game for UVU and only allowed three hits and one earned run. Martin picked up her fifth win on the season and also recorded six strikeouts.
Woodworth went 3-for-4 from the plate in game number one and also swiped her ninth stolen base of the season. Anderson also tallied more than one hit in the first game as she went 2-for-3 with a run scored, a RBI, and a walk.
In game number two, Northern Colorado's starting pitcher Courtney Maihi mowed down the Wolverines and only allowed one run through six innings. In the bottom of the seventh Maihi had a 7-1 advantage but then the Wolverine batters got hot. The first three Wolverines all reached base loading them up. Maggie Christianson drove home the first run of the inning with an RBI ground out. Amber Sackett then came through with her second hit of the game with a solid single to left driving home the second run. Woodworth then singled home another run putting the score at 7-4 with only one out.
Still with only one out Augino walked, then Niemann hit a sacrifice fly to center putting the Wolverines within two but had two outs now. With runners on first and second McGraw hit a ground ball to third that the third baseman went to her bag and tried to get the force out at third but everyone was safe. With things very interesting Maihi finally got the third out of the inning as Steadman gave it a ride to deep left but the bears made the final put out, getting out of the bases loaded jam.
With the split, UVU is now at 9-12 and will turn around a play another doubleheader at home Saturday against Northern Colorado beginning at noon. The Wolverine will be looking for the series win, as they will wrap up the four-game set with the Bears on Saturday.
Utah Valley will be back in action Monday at home again as they will host a doubleheader against Boise State beginning at 2:30 p.m.
