RIVERSIDE, Calif. — Payge Armendariz hit her first home run of the season and Angelique Mann hit a go-ahead two-run triple to lead Utah Valley to a thrilling 9-7 win over California Baptist to advance to day three of the WAC Tournament.
Eight of the nine Wolverine batters got a hit to lead a balanced attack as Utah Valley pulled out the victory in a seesaw game that saw five lead changes, including two in the last two innings.
"That was a fun game, to go back and forth and back and forth," said head coach Cody Thomson. "I'm really proud of this team. It's someone different [contributing] every time, and I love it, I love that we're sharing it."
Armendariz's solo homer came at the perfect time to help respond to a two-run first by the Lancers and get momentum back in the Wolverine dugout, helping spark a four-run second inning. Mann now has a hit in six of her last seven games, and has also driven in or scored at least one run in all but one game during that same stretch.
"Payge has put in a lot of hard work," said Thomson. "It's not easy being a pitcher and a hitter in Division I softball, and for that to pay off for her was fantastic. Angel as well, she's been in different parts of the lineup, and getting into that four spot in the lineup, I feel really confident with her right now."
CBU jumped out to an early lead as the visitors in their home ballpark in the top of the first. The Lancers got three straight hits with one out to produce two runs.
Armendariz got the momentum back in the Wolverine dugout with a solo homer to right to lead off the second. Mya Higareda singled and Megan Gibbs drew a walk to set up Kendyl Purdy, who tripled to left center to give UVU its first lead of the day at 3-2. Britney Moreno then smashed a double over the left fielder's head to plate the fourth run of the inning.
CBU responded with a run in the third on a booming solo homer by Kalena Burns, then retook the lead in the fourth with a two-out, two-run double after the inning was extended by an error.
Utah Valley matched the two Lancer runs in the fourth to make it 6-5 after four. After Gibbs and Moreno each singled, Amber Rodriguez dunked a double down the right field line to tie the game. Peyton Hall then hit a sac fly to deep left field, allowing Moreno to score easily for the go-ahead run.
After a scoreless fifth inning — the only full inning neither team scored — CBU battled back to take the lead again in the sixth when Burns won a two-strike battle with Avery Sapp. The All-WAC honoree hit a two-run double down the left field line that gave the Lancers a 7-6 lead.
The clutch hitting continued for the Wolverines in the bottom of the sixth as Utah Valley rallied for three to take the lead for good. Rodriguez drew a four-pitch walk and Peyton Hall singled to center to set up Mann, who hit a perfectly placed liner up the gap in right center, allowing both runners to score easily and Mann to slide in at third. Armendariz delivered a crucial insurance run in the next at-bat, hitting a sac fly to left.
Sapp slammed the door in the seventh with a three up, three down inning to end the ballgame. Victoria Vasquez turned in a nice play at second for the first out of the inning, making a running over-the-shoulder grab on a tough liner.
Utah Valley advances to day three of the WAC Tournament, where the Wolverines will need to win two games to advance to Saturday's championship round. UVU will face the winner of tonight's Seattle U/SUU game at 5 p.m. MDT/4 p.m. PDT, then with a win, would face the loser of GCU and Tarleton State immediately after.
