March 27, 2009
Box Score
OREM, Utah - The University of North Dakota scored five runs in the first inning dooming Utah Valley University's softball team as the Wolverines (10-16) lost to the Fighting Sioux 6-2 Friday at MSTAR Field.
"You can't spot a team a five run lead in the top of the first, it changes the course of the game," UVU head softball coach Todd Fairbourne said. "You cannot go out and leave things to chance. You have to manage yourself and make adjustments and try to put yourself in a position where you can dictate the outcome rather than simply hoping that things will work out. We just left things to chance thinking that we would get the big hits and comeback like we have as of late. We need to come out tomorrow and take care of business."
The Fighting Sioux came out ready to play as they scored five runs in the first to jump up 5-0 before the Wolverines had even seen the plate. UVU junior Amber Sackett came on in relief with the bases loaded in the first replacing starter freshman Jessica Martin. Martin fell down in the count to a number of Fighting Sioux hitters early as she allowed three hits, three walks, and three wild pitches. All five runs were charged to Martin. Sackett pitched the remaining 6.2 innings scattering five hits allowing one run and recording six strike outs. After the first Sackett settled down and retired 11 consecutive batters other than a defensive error on her infield before UND managed the lone run off of her.
All five Wolverine hits and both RBI's came from seniors, Magan Niemann and Kylee Steadman. Niemann went a perfect 3-for-3 with two doubles and an RBI while Steadman went 2-for-2 with two singles and an RBI.
Utah Valley tried to comeback scoring single runs in the fourth and fifth. Niemann started the threat by doubling in the fourth to left field to get herself in scoring position. After a walk by junior Cherylyn McGraw, Steadman followed with a RBI single to drive home the Wolverines first run of the game. Then in the fifth UND starter Hannah Rose Peters walked back-to-back batters as Niemann made her pay with her third hit of the game, a single into center that plated Samantha Telarroja.
Peters for North Dakota did a nice job picking up the complete game victory as she stuck out four, scattered five hits and only allowed two Wolverine runs.
Utah Valley will be back in action searching for revenge Saturday in a doubleheader at home as they welcome the Bengals of Idaho State beginning at 12:00 p.m. UVU has a 9-2 all-time record against ISU.
