OREM, Utah—A late Wolverine rally fell just short as the Utah Valley University softball team dropped an 11-8 decision to Seattle U in the second game of a Saturday doubleheader at Wolverine Field.
 
Utah Valley closes out a seven game home stand with the loss. The Wolverines fall to 15-29 overall and 3-6 in WAC play. The Redhawks improve to 14-29 on the season and 3-6 in league play.
 
Seattle U took a quick 10-0 lead after scoring three runs in the first inning and seven more in the top of the second. The Redhawks tacked on one run in the top of the fourth to take an 11-0 advantage.
 
"We just need to play together a little bit more at the beginning of games," said Utah Valley head coach Nikki Palmer. "We need to clean it up a more on the defensive and pitching sides so that we can eliminate some of those runs."
 
Utah Valley battled back in the bottom of the fourth inning as the Wolverines quickly loaded the bases. Taleigh Williams then hit a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Brianna Gatlin to put the first UVU run on the scoreboard. UVU again loaded the bases and Hailey Kofler knocked in Kristy Snyder and Jaylen Watson to make it 11-3.
 
Dynasty Lauvai then hit in two more runs with a double to right center to help both Tiani Hensley and Kori Barrios across the plate to cut the score to 11-5. Gatlin continued the scoring in the fourth inning as she singled to right, scoring Morgan Smith to close the Redhawk lead to 11-6. Brittney Vansway wrapped up the scoring in the fourth inning as she hit in Erin Romero to put UVU within striking distance, 11-7.
 
"I'm real proud of our team for fighting back," said Palmer. "The captains stepped up and told the team that they need to play together and rallied them up. They found the fight and they worked really hard from there on out and unfortunately we just fell a little short."
 
After holding the Redhawks scoreless in the top of the seventh, Utah Valley's Watson homered to left field with one out to cut the SU advantage to 11-8. The Wolverines could not get any closer as SU retired the next two UVU batters to secure the win.
 
Kellee Ramsey led the Wolverines in the circle as she hurled 5.1 innings while giving up only one run and three hits. Lindsay Davis picked up her third win of the season in the circle for the Redhawks.
 
Next up for Utah Valley will be a trip to Logan for a doubleheader against Utah State on April 14. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. MT.