OREM, Utah — Payge Armendariz tossed a complete-game three-hitter and Peyton Hall hit a walk-off two-run homer to lead Utah Valley (21-26, 13-10 WAC) to a series-opening 8-0 run-rule win over Utah Tech (19-28, 12-11 WAC) on Friday morning at Wolverine Softball Field.
Armendariz showed some of her best stuff of the season, striking out four and allowing just three baserunners on an efficient 57 pitches.
"Payge has been awesome on the mound. She's been dominant the last couple of weeks," said head coach Cody Thomson. "Being the pitcher and batting in the three-hole is huge for us. She's really peaking for us at the right time.
Halle Morris went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, and two RBIs. Morris came inches away from a home run in the third, but got plenty of distance on her solo shot in the fifth to help the Wolverines secure the run-rule win.
After two and a half very quick innings, Utah Valley broke the deadlock with a five-spot in the third. The Wolverines loaded the bases with no one out for Amber Rodriguez, who hit a grounder to first. The Trailblazers got the out at home, but an errant throw by the catcher back to first sailed down the right field line and allowed two runs to come in to score.
Utah Valley capitalized further on the extra opportunity with three more runs. Rodriguez stole second, then came around to score on a sharp single to center by Armendariz. Morris and Megan Gibbs then hit back-to-back doubles to drive in two more.
A pair of homers by Morris and Hall delivered the knockout blows for the Wolverines. Morris hit a no-doubter down the left field line to lead off the inning, then Hall delivered a two-out, two-run homer after Angelique Mann singled to extend the inning.
The victory pushes Utah Valley one win closer to securing a spot in the double elimination portion of the WAC Tournament bracket. The Wolverines need just a split in tomorrow's doubleheader to secure a top-four spot, while a sweep would guarantee UVU the number three seed in next week's tournament.
Utah Valley and Utah Tech will complete their three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 12 p.m. MT. Tomorrow will also be Senior Day, as the Wolverines will honor their six graduating seniors with ceremonies both before and after the games. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
