“The team battled at the plate all weekend and we scored a lot of runs,” said head coach Dan Powers. “It was huge to win the series and good momentum at home. I was glad to see some people who are starting to get more comfortable in their positions and are able to contribute.”
SU opened the contest with a 4-0 lead through two innings after Isabella Geronimo (San Mateo, Calif.) hit a leadoff solo home run to center field. The Redhawks would add three more runs in the first inning on a wild pitch and an error by the UVU catcher.
Each team added two runs apiece in both the third and fourth innings as SU led, 8-4, through four. Lisa Maulden (Maple Valley, Wash.) scored three straight runs for the Redhawks, with a a 2RBI double in the third, adding another RBI double in the fourth.
In similar fashion to SU’s first inning, UVU added a run on a wild pitch and an RBI single by Brianna Gatlin in the third before Debra Lovell opened the fourth with a solo home run to center field. Erin Romero would come around to score an unearned run to close the fourth inning.
A big fifth inning for Utah Valley put the Wolverines ahead, 9-8, on an RBI single by Brittney Vansway, an RBI double by Lovell and a 2RBI double by Romero. UVU closed the inning scoring a run on a fly out.
Seattle U would take back the lead in the bottom of the sixth, 10-9, on a 2RBI single by Paige Bouska (Keizer, Ore.) to drive in Karina Smyth (San Luis Obispo, Calif.) and Jennifer Sweet (Bend, Ore.).
In the top of the seventh, the Wolverines regained the lead for the final time with a pair of homers by Lovell and Amanda Robinson.
Down 13-10 going into the final half inning, the Redhawks added two runs on a 2RBI home run to center field by Maulden, but two final outs ended SU’s chances as they fell, 13-12.
Maulden led the Redhawks with four runs, four hits, and three RBIs as part of four different SU batters to record multiple hits.
In the circle, Josi Summers made the start for Utah Valley but Kelsey Lawton earned the win, allowing four runs on five hits while walking and striking out three.
Three different Redhawks appeared in the circle, with Richelle Ashburn (Post Falls, Idaho) handed the loss, allowing the final three runs on three hits while walking two. Lindsay Davis (Palo Cedro, Calif.) made the start, giving up the first seven runs while walking one and striking out three in four innings pitched. Alyssa Reuble (Lynnwood, Wash.) put in two innings of work in the circle, giving up three runs on four hits while walking one.
Seattle U heads to Portland State for a non-conference doubleheader on Wednesday, Apr. 9 before returning home to host Kansas City for a three-game Western Athletic Conference series on Friday, Apr. 11 at 4 p.m. (DH) and Saturday, Apr. 12 at 2 p.m.