Errors cost UVU in losses to Idaho State

OREM, Utah — Six errors proved costly for Utah Valley Friday afternoon at Wolverine Field as the Wolverines dropped both games of a Pacific Coast Softball doubleheader to the Idaho State Bengals 5-4 and 7-3.

With the losses UVU will now need Weber State to beat first-place Portland State at least three times for the Wolverines to have a chance at winning the PCSC Mountain Division.

"I was disappointed in our performance. Now it's going to take a minor miracle for us to win the Mountain Division," UVU head coach Todd Fairbourne said. "A lot of credit is due to Coach Wright of Idaho State. She knew which kids of ours could hurt them and did a good job of not allowing that to happen by pitching around them. She coached and Kandis Clesson pitched two very good games."

The Wolverines (18-27, 11-7 PCSC) controlled the first game and led 4-1 heading into the last inning. With one out ISU's (15-31, 8-10 PCSC) offense got back-to-back hits. Following a UVU fielding miscue that loaded the bases, Josi Summers battled back to strike out Katee Wiley for what would have been the third out of the inning. The Bengals next three batters took advantage of the extra out and all drove in runs to come from behind to win 5-4.

Early in Game 1, UVU wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Amanda Robinson blasted a two-out solo home run to left to give the Wolverines an early 1-0 lead.

The Wolverines then scored three more runs in the third when Deianna Russell slugged a three-run shot to left to put UVU on top 4-0.

UVU's starting pitcher Summers, who didn’t allow a hit until the fourth inning, pitched very well in the first six innings before Idaho State picked up a run on two hits two hits before the Bengals scored three in the seventh to earn the win.

Clesson picked up the win by allowing four runs on just five hits, while Summers suffered the loss after she allowed seven but just one earned run.

Idaho State's momentum carried over into the second game as the Bengals scored three first inning runs. The Wolverines countered right back however in the bottom of the frame with three runs tie the score at 3-3.

In the bottom of the first lead-off hitter Meghan Yocom singled to start off the rally and Amanda Perez and Mairaea Tanielu came through with RBI hits as Perez doubled home two and Tanielu singled home the other.

The Bengals retook the lead in the second by scoring a run off of an error to go up 4-3. Idaho State then added its fifth run of the game in the third on a sacrifice fly from Amanda Fitzsimmons.

The Bengals tacked on two more insurance runs in the seventh from a two-run base hit from Terah Blackwell.

After allowing the three runs in the first innings in Game 2, Clesson settled down and pitched six scoreless frames to pick up her second complete game victory of the day for the Bengals. With the wins she improved to 13-17 on the year.

Kyli Flanary pitched the second game of the doubleheader for the Wolverines and allowed seven runs on 13 hits in falling to 6-13 on the year.

The Wolverines and Bengals will conclude the crucial PCSC series Saturday with two more games starting at 12 p.m. at Wolverine Field.

Saturday will also be senior day for four UVU players. Admission is free to the public and in between games Flanary, Mandy Tapia, Samantha Telarroja and Yocom will all be recognized for their accomplishments as Wolverines.

Portland State and Weber State will not begin their four-game series until Saturday in Portland.

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