OREM, Utah — Megan Gibbs and Payge Armendariz each homered to lead Utah Valley to a come-from-behind 8-6 victory over WAC foe Southern Utah in Friday's series opener.
Gibbs' two-run blast tied the game in the bottom of the fourth, then Armendariz's pinch-hit three run blast capped off a six-run rally in the fifth. This is just the first game this season that two Wolverines have hit a home run in the same game.
Friday was originally scheduled to be a doubleheader, but Mother Nature had other plans. Utah Valley and SUU will now play a doubleheader on Saturday, with Senior Day festivities being pushed back until after the conclusion of the second game.
Katie Zuniga got the start and went 3+ innings. Zuniga allowed two runs — one of which was earned — and struck out two. Brooke Saili came on in relief and pitched 2.2 innings, and allowed four ER as the rain started to pick up. Jorja Barrett secured the final four outs to earn the save.
The Thunderbirds struck first in the third inning after a grounder took a tricky hop and skipped past Rylee Thorpe at short. SUU added another on a solo homer in the fourth.
After a leadoff walk from Kalena Shepherd, Gibbs hit a towering shot to straight-away center field that carried with the wind and just cleared the fence to tie the game. The game wasn't tied for long as Capri Franzen hit a solo homer to lead off the fifth inning.
Libbie Hawker slapped a single up the middle and Jaeden Barajas walked to lead off the bottom of the fifth, then both were able to advance on a wild pitch. Shepherd sat back and drove a two-RBI double down the left field line to bring in both runners. Angelique Mann hit a seeing-eye single through the right side to bring home the pinch runner, Kassidy Stiles, then advanced to second on the throw home.
SUU elected to intentionally walk Gibbs to set up the force play. The Thunderbirds were able to retire the next batter, but Armendariz smoked the second pitch she saw for the pinch-hit three-run homer.
Emily Gonzalez cranked a two-out, three-run home run to left field to cut into the deficit. After walking the first batter she faced, Barrett retired the final four batters she faced.
Tomorrow will be Senior Day at Wolverine Softball Field, with the senior ceremony taking place after the conclusion of the final game of the series. Game one will start at 12 p.m. MDT, with the second game starting roughly 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first. Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN+, and live stats will be available at UVUStats.com. Due to other events happening on campus, please allow for more time traveling to Wolverine Softball Field.
