OREM—Utah Valley split a double-header against Western Athletic Conference foe Seattle U on Friday at Wolverine Field. The Wolverines dropped a 7-1 decision in game one before rallying to take a 5-4 win in game two.
GAME 1
Seattle U (16-16, 3-2) got off to a quick start, scoring two runs in the top of the first as Bailey Thompson doubled through the left side to help Ally Choate across the plate. Carley Nance then singled through the right side to score Madison Cathcart, giving the Redhawks the early 2-0 advantage.
The Redhawks scored two more runs in the top of the fourth inning as Mekenzie Madokoro tripled to left center to score Cherise Silvan. Olivia Vigiiano singled to score Madokoro to extend the SU lead to 4-0.
Seattle U's Madokoro singled in the top of the sixth inning to send Lily Garcia across the plate. Choate then singled down the leftfield line to score Madokoro. The two runs extended the SU lead to a 6-0 advantage.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Utah Valley's
Rien Milliken singled through the left side.
Kyla Hardy then doubled to left center to score Milliken for the Wolverines' first run of the game, cutting the SU lead to 6-1.
The Redhawks added one more run in the top of the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Carley Nance, scoring Hannah Sasaki. Utah Valley was unable to score in the bottom half of the inning as the Redhawks secured the 7-1 win.
Hardy led Utah Valley at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a double and an RBI.
Madison Carr went 1-for-2.
Katie Zuniga worked 5.2 innings in the circle with two strikeouts.
Kaycie Jensen came in relief, pitching 1.1 innings with a strikeout. Jensen did not give up an earned run.
GAME 2
After four scoreless innings, Seattle U got on the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning as Cathcart homered to center field with one on base to give SU a pair of runs. Thompson then doubled to left center before Nance doubled to score Thompson for SU's third run of the inning, giving the Redhawks a 3-0 lead.
Utah Valley (15-17, 3-4) responded in the bottom half of the fifth inning as
Laynee Betancur singled to shortstop to open the stanza.
Karleigh Olsen then walked to push Betancur to second.
Emery Nielson then reached on a fielder's choice as
Peyton Prigge, who pinched run for Olsen, advanced to second and Betancur was thrown out at third.
Jade Miller continue the fifth inning with a doubled down the right field line to send Nielson to third and Prigge across the plate for UVU's first run of the game.
Linnah Rebolledo placed a bunt down and reached second on a throwing error to first, scoring both Miller and Nielson.
Siena Sandoval continue the hitting as she singled and then advanced to second on the throw, while Rebolledo advanced to third. Milliken then doubled to center to score both Sandoval and Rebolledo. The Wolverines ended the inning with five runs to take a 5-3 lead into the sixth inning.
The Redhawks scored one run in the top of the seventh and had the game-tying run on second base, but Utah Valley escaped the inning to secure the 5-4 win.
Miller went 2-for-4 at the plate with a double and an RBI. Sandoval,
Basia Query, Betancur, and Nielson each had a hit.
Devyn Cretz picked up the win in the circle for UVU, throwing a complete game with an impressive six strikeouts.
Utah Valley will continue WAC play against Seattle U on Saturday at Wolverine Field. First pitch is set for noon (MT).
