March 8, 2009

Box Score

LOS ANGELES - The Utah Valley University softball team (4-9) wrapped up the LMU Invitational Sunday with an 11-2 loss to St. Mary's. The Wolverines finished the tournament with a 1-4 record.

Senior Magan Niemann hit her second triple of the season against the Gaels Sunday and scored one of the Wolverines' two runs on the day. Junior Cherylyn McGraw drove her home on a double in the third inning. Senior Kylee Steadman scored the other UVU run on the day in the second inning. She hit a single to center field, stole her first base of the season, moved to third on a ground out, and scored on a double from freshman Jessica Martin.

"I feel like our offense and defense were competitive all weekend, but our pitching could have been better," UVU head coach Todd Fairbourne said. "Overall I thought that some of our players were forced into some positions due to injuries and showed character in how they played."

Martin picked up the loss in the circle after giving up eight runs on eight hits with four walks and three strikeouts in four innings. She took a ball to the face in the third inning and was forced to sit out an inning. Freshman Amanda Perez came on in relief and gave up three runs (one earned) on one hit with two walks before Martin returned to pitch and finish the game.

The Wolverines will play six games in Idaho next weekend with doubleheaders against College of Idaho, Boise State, and Eastern Oregon Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, respectively. The team will then host its home opener Mar. 20 with a doubleheader against Northern Colorado.