FRESNO, Calif. — Strong pitching and timely hitting up and down the lineup propelled Utah Valley to a pair of wins at the Fresno State Invitational, coming from behind to top Saint Mary's 8-3 before toppling the host Bulldogs 6-2 in the nightcap.
Halle Morris and Avery Sapp each tossed complete games to earn the Wolverines their first two wins of the season. Morris bounced back from a rocky first inning and held the Gaels to just three runs on two hits, while Sapp scattered eight hits and struck out four to secure her first collegiate win.
Angelique Mann had herself a day at the plate, going 3-for-7 with a double and five RBIs between the two games. Mann's bases-clearing double tied things up for the Wolverines in the early game, then she later scored on Peyton Hall's RBI double that put UVU up for good.
GAME ONE
After getting out of a jam in the top of the first, Saint Mary's immediately put pressure on the Wolverines with the first two batters reaching on a walk and hit-by-pitch. Sam Buckley then hit a three-run home run to left, but that would be all the offense the Gaels would get.
Following the home run, Morris would bounce back by retiring the next eight batters in order. Morris wouldn't allow another hit until the seventh inning, but she was able to make swift work by getting a double play on the next batter. In total, Morris and the Wolverine defense were able to turn three double plays against the Gaels.
Utah Valley took the lead for good in the third inning courtesy of a four run rally. After a single by Britney Moreno and walks by Amber Rodriguez and Morris, Mann sent a bases-clearing double down the right field line to tie the game. Two batters later, Hall would bring home Mann to give the Wolverines the lead.
The two teams traded zeroes until the top of the seventh when Utah Valley was able to put up another four-spot. Ry Binne led off the inning with a single, then moved into scoring position on another Rodriguez walk. Morris drove in Binne with an RBI single, and both runners were able to take an extra base on the throw.
Mann picked up her fourth RBI of the game with a single to plate Rodriguez. Morris would come in to score on a wild pitch, then Mann would make her way home on an RBI groundout by Hall.
GAME TWO
The Wolverines were beneficiaries of some sloppy defense by Fresno State in the nightcap, as the Bulldogs gave up three errors and a passed ball.
Utah Valley jumped out to a 1-0 lead off of a trio of singles. Rachael Brown got things started with a one-out single to the opposite field. Moreno then put her in scoring position with a line drive to left. Binne then dunked a looping liner into center to bring home pinch runner Taylor Wooten.
Two more runs were plated in the top of the third. Morris led off the inning with a double to center. Hall then drove in pinch runner Victoria Vasquez with a single up the middle two batters later. A dropped fly ball by the center fielder allowed Hall to come in to score a few batters later.
Fresno State plated a run in the bottom half of the third after a one-out double came around to score.
Utah Valley didn't record a single hit in the sixth inning, but were able to plate a trio of runs. The Wolverines were aided by two Bulldog errors and a passed ball that helped give life to the rally.
FSU had runners on the corners with nobody out in their half of the sixth, but were only able to plate one run. Sapp was able to work around the traffic with a popout, groundout, and a punchout.
A dropped fly ball by Laynee Betancur in right kicked off the bottom of the seventh, but she was able to gun down the runner who rounded the bag too far. Sapp got her fourth K, a strikeout looking, to end the ballgame and secure her first collegiate victory.
UP NEXT
Utah Valley returns to action tomorrow morning with an early 10 a.m. MT first pitch against Oregon State. Following the conclusion of that game, the Wolverines will face off with the Saint Mary's Gaels. Neither game will be streamed, but live stats will be available at UVUStats.com.
