OREM, Utah — Utah Valley softball started off WAC play right with a doubleheader sweep over the visiting New Mexico State Aggies. The Wolverines came from behind to win 5-4 in walk-off fashion in game one, then the bats broke out behind a stellar performance from Jorja Barrett in the night cap to win 9-2.
Angelique Mann delivered the knockout blow in the bottom of the seventh of game one. Mann drove in Jaeden Barajas, who drove in the game-tying run two batters earlier with an RBI double up the gap in left-center. Barajas had a three-extra base hit day, as she followed that up with a 4-for-4 game in game two with a home run, a double, and two more RBIs.
"The clutch hitting has been the piece that's been missing, and it was a great time for it to start against a pretty good team like NMSU," said head coach Cody Thomson. "We're looking forward to trying to pull the sweep tomorrow."
As a team, the Wolverines picked up eight two-out RBIs — three in game one and five in game two — to help clinch the doubleheader sweep. Kalena Shepherd picked up four of those in game two as she went 2-for-4 with a double, and racked up six RBIs in total.
Three of NMSU's four runs in game one came via the longball. The Aggies came into this week ranked No. 8 in the nation in home runs per game. After falling behind 2-0 in the first, Brooke Saili settled down and delivered another strong outing. Saili went the distance allowing four runs — three earned — and struck out a season-high seven batters.
Utah Valley tied things up in the third with a two-RBI single by Shepherd to right that drove in Libbie Hawker and Danyé Albritton. NMSU answered back with a pair of solo home runs in the fourth and fifth to regain the two-run cushion.
Albritton cut the lead in half with an RBI double in the sixth that scored pinch runner Katelyn Bridgeman. Barajas' RBI double in the seventh set the table for Mann, who punched an RBI single through the right side to clinch the victory.
In the second half of the doubleheader, Barrett had her first start in the circle and delivered a gem. Barrett struck out four Aggies, and spread out six hits over a complete game. The lone blemish was a two-run home run after the game was well in hand in the top of the sixth inning.
"Jorja's been working really hard. We knew she'd have good spin against a good team," said Thomson. "She's been working on being really efficient — she only threw 86 pitches, which is huge. Only having a couple of walks, it was a very impressive day. She'll give us more opportunities to win in conference."
Barajas started things off right for the Wolverines in the bottom of the first with a two-run homer to left. Albritton extended the lead to three in the second with an RBI double to score Britney Moreno. Megan Gibbs added another in the third with a pinch-hit double that brought home Barajas.
Utah Valley struck for three more runs in the bottom of the fourth. Moreno led off the inning with a triple to right, then was immediately brought home on a sac fly by Albritton. The Wolverines continued the rally as the next three batters reached on a hit by pitch, walk and a single. Kalena Shepherd delivered another two-out knock to bring in Taylor Wooten and Libbie Hawker.
Utah Valley canceled out NMSU's two-run sixth with a two-spot of their own. Barajas picked up her fourth hit of the day with a single down the left field line. Mann reached on a hit by pitch, then Shepherd split the gap in left-center to drive in both runners.
The Wolverines will look to go for the series sweep tomorrow afternoon. First pitch in the series finale is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. MDT. The game will be live streamed on ESPN+ and live stats will be available at UVUStats.com.
