ABILENE, Texas — Halle Morris threw a complete game, tying a career-high with six strikeouts, and Megan Gibbs and Angelique Mann both homered to lead Utah Valley (11-17, 5-3 WAC) to a 5-4 win over the Abilene Christian Wildcats (12-19, 4-6 WAC) and a doubleheader split on Friday afternoon at Poly Wells Field.
"Angel and Megan really hit well today," said head coach Cody Thomson. "We're going to need them to be at their best tomorrow to help us win the series."
The Wolverines bounced back from a rough outing in the early game, where they lost 10-2 in five innings, to secure the split. Mann had a strong showing at the plate all day, going a combined 3-for-5 with two home runs, three RBIs, and two runs scored.
Morris continued to be a dual-threat at the plate and in the circle. In addition to her complete game in game two, Morris reached base four times in the doubleheader, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs, two walks, and a HBP. Morris raised her team-best on-base percentage to .500 for the season, which is on pace to set the UVU full-season record.
Gibbs continued to show her power at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a home run and a double in game two. Gibbs narrowly missed another home run in game one, but that ball was knocked down by the wind in left. Gibbs now has eight home runs on the season, and is trucking her way up the UVU career leaderboards with 28. The next person Gibbs is chasing is Amanda Perez (2009-12), who had 31 in her career.
GAME ONE
Utah Valley fell behind 1-0 in the bottom of the first, but the damage could've been much worse. The Wolverines turned the second triple play in program history to get out of a bases loaded and no out jam, but the runner from third was able to score on the play.
Mann hit her second home run of the season in the top of the second to tie the game. ACU then took the lead for good in the bottom half of the inning with a five spot.
In the top of the third, after Amber Rodriguez reached on an error, Halle Morris roped a single into left center that scored Rodriguez from first to make it 6-2.
The Wildcats put the game on ice with a four-run fourth to clinch the run-rule victory. ACU then sent the Wolverines down in order in the fifth to close out the game.
GAME TWO
UVU set the tone early with a three-run second inning, highlighted by back-to-back homers by Gibbs and Mann. The Wolverines then loaded the bases with nobody out, but were only able to get one run out of it. Morris took one for the team, taking her team-high eighth HBP of the season to force in the run.
Gibbs and Mann went back to back again in the third — this time with doubles — to bring home another run. Again, the Wolverines threatened for more with runners on the corners and no outs, but couldn't cash in any more runs. UVU left nine runners on base compared to just one for ACU.
Utah Valley struck quickly again in the fourth following a lead-off walk by Ry Binne. Morris dunked a single into right center that split the gap and allowed Binne to score from first.
The Wildcats made things interesting with a pair of runs in both the fourth and sixth. Morris slammed the door in the seventh, picking up her sixth strikeout of the day to close out the ballgame.
UVU and ACU will meet tomorrow for the rubber match of this three-game set. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. MT, and the game will be broadcast live on WAC International.
