KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Brittney Vansway helped Utah Valley University softball break an extra-inning scoreless tie with a clutch two-out two-run home run in the eighth inning of Friday's opener at Missouri-Kansas City, but it wasn't enough as UMKC managed to rally for two runs of its own in the last of the eighth and one more in the 10th to take the series opener by a score of 3-2.  
 
With the game still scoreless in the eighth, Breezy Roth got things going for the Wolverines (5-31, 1-6 WAC) with a one-out infield single. With UVU down to its final out in the frame following a flyout from Brianna Gatlin, Vansway then belted out the go-ahead two-run round tripper to put Utah Valley on top.
 
The Kangaroos (17-18, 6-1 WAC) didn't go down lightly in the last of the eighth however, as they made things interesting following back-to-back leadoff hits. With one out and runners later leading from second and third, Kendra Leach delivered the big hit of the inning for the 'Roos with a two-run single to center to tie the game at 2-all. With the winning run later leading from second and two away, UMKC's Kelsey Goodwin looked for the winning hit but Gatlin managed to race on in left to make a fine catch and send the game to the ninth. 
 
Following a scoreless ninth and a one-two-three top of the 10th, Kansas City then put the game away in the bottom of the 10th when Leach came around to score the winning run on a two-out Wolverine miscue. Leach started the 10th-inning rally for the 'Roos with a leadoff walk, later advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt and took third on a two-out single up the middle from Goodwin. With two away and Leach leading from third, Brooke Parker then put a ball into play to short and UVU's shortstop couldn't field it cleanly as UMKC managed to pick up the walk-off victory.
 
Kansas City's Amber Grove went the full 10 innings in the circle to improve to 9-8 on the season after giving up just two runs on six hits while striking out eight. Following a fine outing from both starter Bailey Moore and reliever Makayla Shadle, UVU's Shadle was tagged with the loss after giving up an unearned run in 2.0 innings of work. Moore took a no decision after allowing just one earned run (two total) in 7.2 innings. The 7.2-inning outing by Moore was the longest of the season for any Utah Valley pitcher.
 
With the game previously scoreless in the fourth, the Wolverines looked to strike first when Gatlin and Vansway both reached base with nobody out. Following a sacrifice bunt by Taleigh Williams, Dana De La Torre then went down swinging for out number two and Gatlin was cut down at the plate trying to score on a wild pitch for the final out of the frame.
 
Solid pitching from starter Moore along with timely defense helped the Wolverines keep the 'Roos off the board for the first seven innings of the ballgame. The UVU defense turned a trio of double plays and Moore managed to scatter nine hits over the first seven frames to hold UMKC scoreless until extra innings.
 
With both teams still searching for their first run in the seventh, Kori Barrios came through for UVU with a two-out double to center to put the go-ahead run in scoring position. UMKC's Amber Grove then managed to answer back by striking out pinch hitter Kristy Snyder to keep the Wolverines off the board.
 
UMKC then looked for the walk-off victory in the last of the seventh inning, but Wolverine right fielder Barrios delivered a strike to the plate to cut down the winning run and send the game to extra innings. With two-on and two-out in the frame, Ashlin O'Brien delivered a single into right field for the 'Roos but Barrios managed to field the ball cleanly and gun down Kelsey Volle who was trying to score from second for the final out of the frame.
 
Vansway led the Wolverine offense in the contest by going a perfect 3-for-3 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Katie Kelley paced the 'Roos with a 3-for-4 outing with a run scored and a walk.
 
The Wolverines will now look to bounce back on Friday afternoon when game two of the twin bill gets underway at 4:30 p.m. MT/5:30 p.m. CT. from UMKC's Missouri 3&2 Complex. The three-game WAC series will conclude on Saturday, as the series finale is set for an 11 a.m. MT/noon CT start.