OREM, Utah — Britney Moreno had a five-hit day while driving in four and Avery Sapp hit her first collegiate home run while flirting with a no-hitter to lead Utah Valley to a 13-3 win in a doubleheader split on Friday afternoon at Wolverine Softball Field.
ACU bounced back in the second game of the twin bill with a 3-2 victory behind a complete game by Lina Russo.
Moreno went 3-for-3 with a triple, double, three RBIs, and three runs scored in the game one win, then tacked on a 2-for-3 game two with another double and an RBI. Moreno is 13-for-22 (.591) over the last six games.
Sapp bounced back from a rocky first inning to take a no-hitter within two outs of completion, despite giving up two unearned runs and four walks in the opening frame. Sapp contributed to her own cause — albeit after the Wolverines were up 12-2 — with a solo homer in the fourth.
Peyton Hall hit a three-run homer in the game one win. Angelique Mann went 3-for-6 across both games, with three runs scored.
GAME ONE
As rain fell in the top of the first, Sapp struggled to find her command and issued four walks while also committing a throwing error. After surrendering the two unearned runs in the first, Sapp retired the next 11 Wildcats in order before giving up a one-out single in the fifth.
Utah Valley blitzed ACU for two runs in the first before recording an out. Moreno singled and Tatum Hall worked an eight-pitch walk to set up Megan Gibbs, who roped a two-run double to left center. Gibbs took third on a wild pitch, then came in to score on a Rachael Brown sac fly to give the Wolverines a 3-2 lead after one.
Moreno was at the heart of the scoring once again in the second. Sapp and Mann each singled to put two on for Moreno, who smashed a triple to right center. Moreno then worked her way out of a pickle when Tatum Hall hit a comebacker to the pitcher, getting back to third and staying in the rundown long enough to allow Hall to get to second. A wild pitch allowed Moreno to score two batters later, making it 6-2.
Utah Valley put the game on ice with a six-run third inning. After Bailey Marvin doubled and Sapp walked, Peyton Hall hit a towering three-run homer that got a little help from the wind to make it 9-2.
Mann reignited the rally with a triple to right center, then came in to score on another Moreno knock. Victoria Vasquez and Gibbs each reached to load the bases for Emma Haygood, who blooped a single into center and scored Moreno. Mya Higareda capped off the rally with a groundout to score Vasquez.
Sapp led off the fifth with a booming, no-doubt homer to left for her first collegiate homer.
After retiring the first batter in the fifth, Sapp surrendered her first hit of the day, a line drive single to left. Sapp made way for Payge Armendariz, who got the last two outs.
GAME TWO
Cam Davis came out on the wrong side of a pitcher's duel in game two, tossing a complete game with three strikeouts and three walks. Davis' lone blemishes on the day were a pair of home runs — a solo and two-run shot.
Davis was outdueled by ACU ace Lina Russo, who struck out seven and scattered five hits in a complete game win.
Elizabeth Schaefer got the Wildcats on the board in the first once again, hammering a solo homer to left. The two teams traded zeroes until the Wolverines rallied for two in the fifth.
The Wolverines weren't able to capitalize on the same type of scoring opportunities they cashed in on in the early game. Utah Valley went 3-for-11 with runners in scoring position, including failing to score with runners on second and third with nobody out in the first.
Sapp continued her all-around great day with a hit to lead off the fifth, then was bunted to second by Peyton Hall. Mann dunked a single into right to drive in Sapp, then swiped second to set Moreno up for another RBI single.
ACU wasn't behind for long, turning a one-run deficit into a one-run lead with a two-run homer by Miranda Lista in the sixth.
Utah Valley had a chance to tie the game back up in its half of the sixth when Gibbs drew a leadoff walk and advanced on a passed ball, but Russo retired the next three Wolverines in succession, and retired the side in order in the seventh.
The two teams will reconvene tomorrow at 12 p.m. MDT for the rubber match of this pivotal WAC series. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+, with live stats available at UVUStats.com.
