March 28, 2014

Box Score

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- Josi Summers threw a complete game and Brittney Vansway had a perfect day at the plate as Utah Valley University defeated Bakersfield in its Western Athletic Conference debut by a score of 4-1 Friday afternoon.

The win not only snaps a five-game slide, but is the first WAC win in program history for UVU (8-19, 1-0 WAC), which spent the previous four seasons in the Pacific Coast Softball Conference.

"Josi had a very effective and consistent day in the circle and her defense played very strong behind her," said Utah Valley head coach Nikki Palmer. "At the same time, Brittney was locked in at the plate and saw the ball very well. She put the ball in the green on every hit and had a great day."

After Dynasty Lauvai walked and Morgan Summers reached on an error, the duo pulled off the double steal to situate themselves into scoring position with one out. Vansway came through in her first at-bat, singling into centerfield to score both Lauvai and Summers. The freshman would add two more singles on the afternoon to complete the first multi-hit game of her young career.

The two runs in the top of the first were all Summers would need as the senior improved to 5-11 after allowing just one earned run on four hits in a complete-game 7.0 innings pitched. The `Runners would get a run back in the top of the first, but could conjure no more as Summers went on to strike out five along the way to the victory.

The Wolverines would add a couple insurance runs in the next two innings, getting an RBI double from Lauvai in the top of the second. Vansway would tack on a run scored in the third, scampering home from third on a two-out error -- one of four on the afternoon for CSUB.

The WAC-opening series rolls on for both UVU and CSUB with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 2 p.m. MT.