April 9, 2011
Game 1 Box Score
Game 2 Box Score
PORTLAND, Ore. - Utah Valley began its 2011 PCSC play with a bang Saturday at Erv Lind Stadium in Portland as the Wolverines (9-18, 2-0) swept a doubleheader from last year's Mountain Division champs, the Portland State Vikings, 5-4, 4-1.
A year ago UVU was the only conference team to defeat the Vikings (12-14, 0-2) as the two split a four-game series in Orem and the Wolverines finished in second place in the division at 13-7. In 2010 PSU went 18-2 in PCSC play and did not lose a home conference game all season, while on Saturday UVU handed PSU two home conference losses in its first two games.
"It takes a whole team effort to beat quality teams on their field and that's what we had today," UVU head coach Todd Fairbourne said. "Everybody did something significant offensively or defensively to help us win. Portland State is a good team and for everyone of our players to come out and play the way they did today says a lot about them."
The Wolverines used timely hitting to get the job done in game one, while in game number two it was the longball and pitching that helped UVU to the doubleheader sweep.
In the first game of the day, the Vikings took the early lead as they scored three runs in the second inning. The Wolverines quickly responded however as they put up three runs of their own in the top of the third to tie the game at 3-all.
Meghan Yocom started it off as she just missed a home run by lacing a double off the wall to drive home Korryn Coates. Amanda Robinson followed with a single into left that scored Yocom from second. Robinson then showed her speed as she came all the way around from second to tie the game at 3-3 on an infield single by Amanda Perez.
In the fourth UVU took its first lead of the game at 5-3 as Yocom came through again. The senior outfielder plated two more runs with a two out two RBI single down the left field line that scored Samantha Telarroja and Mairaea Tanielu.
The score remained the same until the sixth as both starters -- Kyli Flanary (UVU) and Anna Bertrand (PSU) -- settled down and put up zeros in the fourth and fifth.
With the Wolverines up just a run in the seventh at 5-4, Flanary had no troubles as she retired the Vikings in order to help propel UVU the 5-4 victory over last year's division champs.
In the first game Flanary picked up the complete game victory in the circle, while Yocom and Robinson led UVU offensively as both finished with two hits apiece.
In the nightcap the Wolverines struck first as Deianna Russell hit a two run homer to give UVU a 2-0 advantage in the top of the fourth. PSU responded however with a run of its own in the bottom of the frame to cut the score to 2-1. The lone run would be all the offensive that Portland State could muster in the game as UVU's Josi Summers pitched very well the rest of the way to pick up the complete game victory.
UVU added two more runs in the sixth to take a 4-1 lead and put the game out of reach. Robinson started off the inning with a solo blast to left field for the first run and Tanielu added the other with a sacrifice fly that scored Perez.
Summers allowed just one run, on seven hits and struck out three to win her sixth ballgame of the season.
On the day Perez, Robinson and Yocom led the way as they each finished with three hits in the doubleheader.
UVU and PSU will conclude the four-game series with two more games on Sunday. The Wolverines will look for the season sweep over the Vikings when the doubleheader begins at 12 p.m. MT.
"Now we need to take advantage of this and take at least one more game on Sunday," Fairbourne added. "I challenged the girls not to be satisfied with just the two wins. Portland State is very good and we need to come out with the very same formula Sunday."
