RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Emma Haygood had a four-hit day at the plate with four RBIs as Utah Valley dropped a pair of close contests to open WAC play against the California Baptist Lancers on Friday, 8-6 and 5-3.
Utah Valley brought the tying run to the plate in the seventh in both games, but were unable to capitalize on the scoring opportunities.
Haygood's four-hit day was highlighted by a 3-for-3 game in the opener that included a pair of doubles and all four of her RBIs. Cam Davis tossed 2.2 shutout innings of relief with three strikeouts.
GAME ONE
CBU pushed two across in the first after an error prolonged the Lancer rally. Ashlee Annett dunked in a single to right to drive in both runners.
Utah Valley responded right back with a run in the second to trim the lead down to one. Emma Haygood just missed a home run with a double to right center, but was still able to drive in Megan Gibbs on the play.
The Wolverines rallied for five in the third to take their first lead of the night. With runners on the corners, Gibbs smoked a single past the third baseman to score Sapp and tie the game at two. Angelique Mann reached on an error by the shortstop to load the bases, then Peyton Hall worked a walk to score Britney Moreno from third. Haygood then slashed a double just inside the bag at first to clear the bases and give UVU a 6-2 lead.
The Lancers matched the Wolverines' six runs over two innings with one in the third and five in the fourth to take an 8-6 lead after four. All five of CBU's runs in the fourth came with two outs.
Utah Valley got the tying run to the plate in the seventh with a leadoff double by Tatum Hall, but that was the last hit the Wolverines would get.
GAME TWO
The Lancers jumped out to an early lead again in game two, bringing in three runs.
UVU answered back with two runs of their own in the second. Peyton Hall and Haygood reached to start the inning, then were bunted over by Brooklyn Ricci. Victoria Vasquez dunked a single into left to score Hall and Amber Rodriguez reached on a fielder's choice to bring in Haygood's pinch runner, Kendyl Purdy.
The Wolverines tied the game at three in the fourth after Purdy singled, stole second, then was doubled home by Rodriguez.
CBU retook the lead in its half of the fourth with a two-run homer by Kate Penberthy.
Utah Valley got the go-ahead runner to the plate in the seventh, but were unable to convert.
The Wolverines will look to get back in the win column on Saturday in the series finale. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m. MST and the game will be broadcast on ESPN+ with live stats at UVUStats.com.
