Double-header versus Oklahoma State ends in back-to-back losses

Tim Castaneda, Sports Writer, @xTIMBOxSLICEx

After allowing Oklahoma State University to open the game with a huge lead, UVU softball lost its second game of a double-header 9-1 in six innings of play Thursday evening at Wolverine field.

Although UVU avoided the shutout on Brittney Vansway’s  fifth inning single to center field to bring home Brianna Gatlin for the team’s only run, it was too late for any comeback attempt as the team still trailed 8-1.

In addition to struggling to score runs with nine runners left on base, UVU’s defense provided little help with 8 total walks and one error in UVU’s fifth-straight loss.

“We’re young and we’re still learning,” said head coach Nikki Palmer. “We just need to realize how good we are and put it all together offensively, defensively and pitching. The whole game, we’ve gotta clean it up a little.”

A big second inning at the plate for Oklahoma State put the Wolverines in a 6-0 hole, after a couple of wild pitches and hits allowed the Cowgirls to take complete control of the game.

With one runner on, Oklahoma State’s Shelby Davis hit a 2-RBI double to left field. Two batters later, Tiffany Mikkelson hit a ball to center field that brought in two more runs for the Cowgirls. Mikkelson would end up scoring from third on a wild pitch to cap off her team’s five-run second inning.

Oklahoma State pitcher Jessi Haffner earned the victory in six innings, as she finished the game allowing one earned run on five hits and striking out seven. She started the game pitching four scoreless innings prior to the one UVU run.

UVU pitcher Makayla Shadle was credited with the loss, after giving up six earned runs, three hits and walked four to start the game on the mound for the Wolverines.

In spite of the scoring discrepancy shown by the box score, UVU wound up with a 5-4 advantage in hits on the evening. Vansway led all UVU hitters, going 2-for-3 at the plate with 1 RBI. Jaylen Watson, Megan Peay and Gatlin provided one hit apiece for the Wolverines.

The Wolverines next travel to Provo, Utah, for a game against cross-town foe BYU on Saturday, March 21, with the game set to start at 3:30 p.m. MT.