OREM, Utah — Paige Armendariz pitched a three-hit complete game and Peyton Hall hit a walk-off two-run home run to lead Utah Valley (21-26, 13-10 WAC) to an 8-0 series opener. Rule win over Utah Tech (19-28, 12-11 WAC) Friday morning at Wolverine Softball Field.
Armendariz had his best performance of the season, striking out four on an efficient 57 pitches and allowing just three baserunners.
“Paige was great on the mound. She's been dominant the last few weeks,” head coach Cody Thomson said. “Being able to pitch and bat in the three-hole is huge for us. She's really peaking for us at the right time.
Hal Morris went 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, and two RBIs. Morris came within inches of hitting a home run in the third inning, but gained enough distance on a solo shot in the fifth to help secure the Wolverines' run-rule victory.
After two and a half very fast innings, Utah Valley scored five runs in the third inning to break the stalemate. Amber Rodriguez grounded out to first base for the Wolverines, with no outs and the bases loaded. The Trail Blazers got an out at home, but the catcher's erroneous throw to first went to the right field line, allowing two additional points.
Utah Valley capitalized on the extra opportunity with three more points. Rodriguez stole second base and Armendariz reversed and scored with a sharp single to center field. Morris and Megan Gibbs then hit back-to-back doubles and drove in two more runs.
Two home runs by Morris and Hall gave the Wolverines the winning run. Morris hit a no-doubt down the left field line to lead off the inning, and Hall extended the inning on Angelique Mann's single before hitting a two-run homer with two outs.
With this win, Utah Valley moves one win closer to securing a double-elimination spot in the WAC Tournament. The Wolverines only need a split in tomorrow's doubleheader to secure a top-four spot, but a sweep would guarantee UVU the No. 3 seed in next week's tournament.
Utah Valley and Utah Tech will conclude their three-game series tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 12:00 PM Montana time. Tomorrow is also Senior Day, and the Wolverines will honor their six graduating seniors with ceremonies before and after the game. Both games will be streamed live on ESPN+.
