OREM, Utah — Utah Valley University softball wraps up its 17-game, season-opening stretch away from home with doubleheaders at Big West schools UC Santa Barbara on Tuesday and UC Riverside on Wednesday. Both days are set for first pitch at noon PT/1 p.m. MT.
The Wolverines (5-8) are coming off of a 1-4 appearance at the Boyd Game Classic in Las Vegas, with all four defeats coming narrowly. UVU fell 3-1 to Idaho State and defeated WAC foe Seattle U, 3-0, on the first day. On day two the Bengals topped the Wolverines again, this time by an 11-7 final and UVU fell in a pitcher's duel to host UNLV, 2-0. Finally, Sunday saw another pitcher's duel go UNLV's way in a 1-0 defeat.
Despite the outcomes, Utah Valley had several standout performances, with Basia Query batting .429 with six hits in her final return to her home state, while Rien Milliken batted .362 at the tournament. In the circle, Brooke Carter thwirled a shutout against Seattle, striking out six in the win. And despite taking losses in both decisions she had, Devyn Cretz allowed just one earned run over 10.2 innings.
Query is hitting .439 with three home runs and 10 RBIs on the season to lead Utah Valley. Linnah Rebolledo is right behind her at .432 and tied for the team lead with 10 batted in. Milliken is at .320 with a home run and seven RBIs and Siena Sandoval is tied for the team lead with three home runs and 10 runs batted in.
ON DECK
The Wolverines are slated to open their home schedule on Sunday, March 14 against Idaho State in a 2 p.m. MT doubleheader. UVU will also host in-state rival Weber State on Tuesday, March 16 in the doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. MT.
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
UC Santa Barbara knocked off Stanford on Sunday afternoon, 3-1, to earn a doubleheader split. The Gauchos are 2-9 overall, having played a difficult slate of games so far, and also own a win over San Diego. UC Riverside is in search of its first win with just six games under its belt so far this season. The Highlanders dropped a pair of three-game series to Loyola Marymount and then, most recently, over the weekend to Dixie State. UC Riverside is led by former UVU head coach Nikki Palmer, who helped coach the Wolverines to their only NCAA Tournament appearance in 2014.
