CEDAR CITY, Utah — Avery Sapp tossed her second complete game shutout of the season to lead Utah Valley (20-26, 12-10 WAC) to a 4-0 win over the Southern Utah Thunderbirds (19-25, 8-15 WAC) on Sunday afternoon in Cedar City.
"Sapp was amazing this weekend," said head coach Cody Thomson. "I believe she's peaking at the right point in the season. Megan Gibbs keeps putting up consistent weekends for us, as well."
Sapp — who came two outs away from another complete game shutout on Saturday — is the second Wolverine freshman to throw multiple complete game shutouts in a single season, joining Josi Summers, who threw two in 2011. Sapp has been lights-out of late, allowing just five runs in her last five outings (32.2 IP) and picking up 24 strikeouts.
Sapp had the Thunderbird hitters swinging under the high stuff all afternoon, recording 16 of her 21 outs via a flyout or popout. Sapp also held SUU hitters to just five hits, and never allowed more than one in an inning.
The Wolverines spread the attack up and down the lineup, as all nine starters reached base. Three of those starters reached base three times — Halle Morris went 1-for-1 with a double, an RBI, and two walks, Megan Gibbs went 1-for-2 with a double, two walks, and an RBI, and Rachael Brown went 2-for-3 with a walk. Amber Rodriguez led the attack at the top of the lineup going 2-for-4 with an RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base.
Utah Valley struck first in the second when Peyton Hall was able to score on a wild pitch. The Wolverines pushed across single runs in each inning they scored.
Gibbs doubled home Morris in the third to extend the lead to 2-0. Rodriguez drove in pinch runner Libbie Hawker with a single up the middle for the third run of the day in the fourth. Morris capped off the scoring with a double to left center in the sixth that scored Rodriguez.
After allowing a one-out double, Sapp was able to slam the door in the seventh with a popout and a strikeout to end the game.
Utah Valley caps off the road schedule with a non-conference clash at regional rival Idaho State on Wednesday afternoon. Wednesday's game will be the 53rd all-time meeting between the Wolverines and Bengals, with the winner taking the lead in the series. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. MT, and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
