OREM, Utah - Utah Valley looks to capitalize on their first sweep of the season against UMKC by heading to Salt Lake City on March 2 to take on the Utah Utes, followed by a trip to Las Cruces, New Mexico for another round of WAC competition against the Aggies, April 5 and 6.
On the heels of a three-game sweep against Kansas City (8-5, 7-4 and 9-8) and a WAC Hitter of the Week recognition for freshman
Abby Doughty, the Wolverines now hit the road for competition against Utah, New Mexico State and eventually Weber State before returning again to Orem, Utah. Utah Valley has historically gone 3-26 against the Utes and 4-18 against the Aggies.
Doughty was instrumental in the triple win over UMKC, hitting .429 with a 1.143 slugging percentage in four games last week, went 6-for-11 (.545) with three home runs, a double and eight RBIs. She hit the go-ahead grand slam in the opener on Friday and the go-ahead two-run double in the first game of Saturday's twin bill. Doughty then capped the series with a pair of homers.
Doughty also leads the Wolverines in runs scored on the season so far with 22 as well as 30 hits overall.
Devyn Cretz completed the weekend against the 'Roos with a save in Saturday's first game and a second complete-game of the weekend. She also won on Friday afternoon to pick up two wins and a save in the three-game sweep.
Lyndsay Steverson continues a strong season for Utah Valley, sitting as the leader with eight doubles, six home runs and 54 total bases.
About Utah:
- Utah is currently 13-20 for the 2019 season.
- Went 20-30 on the 2018 season, including wins over WAC opponent GCU.
- The Utes returned Julia Noskin, who was named to the Pac-12 All-Freshmen Team in 2018 and Hailey Hilburn, who was selected to the National Fastpitch Coaches Association All-Pacific Region Team in 2018.
About NM State:
- New Mexico State is currently 15-14 on the 2019 season.
- NMSU was named the favorite in the 2019 WAC Preseason Poll.
- The Aggies won their fourth-straight WAC regular-season title in 2018.
- Split with WAC opponent Seattle U earlier in the season.
On deck for Utah Valley is a single game of competition at Weber State on April 9, followed by WAC competitor Seattle U in a three-game series on April 12 and 13 at home on the Wolverine softball field.
