LOS ANGELES - North Dakota plated two runs in the top of the first inning and Utah Valley couldn't make up the difference in suffering a 6-2 loss in its second straight loss to the Fighting Sioux in as many days Friday morning at the Loyola Marymount Invitational.
In the second game of the day, the Wolverines managed just two hits in losing 7-0 to Loyola Marymount.
"We had a couple of hard games today. The girls battled," UVU softball coach Todd Fairbourne said. "Hopefully we can come out and have energy and win two on Saturday."
Utah Valley's biggest threat against North Dakota came in the sixth when Megan Gardner, Amber Sackett and Amanda Perez all singled to open the inning with Garnder scoring in Perez's base knock to cut the lead to 3-1. Sackett scored on a fielder's choice by Shaylyn Varney to whittle the lead to 3-2.
North Dakota put the game out of reach with three runs in the top of the seventh.
The Wolverines (4-12) threatened in the bottom of the first with consecutive base hits by Cherylyn McGraw and Charlee Cisneros, but the next three hitters grounded out to third to end the frame.
Utah Valley outhit the Fighting Sioux, 9-7, in the contest and left eight runners on base.
McGraw finished with two hits for the Wolverines. Heather Bacon suffered the loss by allowing six runs (four earned) with striking out two and walking three in seven innings.
The Wolverines close out the LMU Invitational Saturday when they play Bucknell at 9 a.m. and LMU at 11 a.m. The games can be followed by Clicking here.
