Keeping it close

Of the first five games of the season for the softball team, four were decided by a run. Unfortunately for Utah Valley, it was on the losing end of three of those games.

Playing in the warmer weather in St. George for those first five games of the season in the Red Desert Classic, Utah Valley suffered back-to-back one-run losses to open the season to Northern Colorado and Loyola Marymount.

The Wolverines picked up their first win of the year 11-5 over Rhode Island on the second day of the tournament.

With the momentum from that first win, Utah Valley won their second game of the season the same day. The Wolverines beat Idaho State 5-4. Sophomore pitcher Alli Bramwell earned both wins for the Wolverines.

In the final game of the tournament, the Big Ten’s Wisconsin came from behind 3-1 to beat the Wolverines 4-3.

Freshman Meghan Woodworth leads the team in batting after the first five games. She averaged .438 with seven hits, six RBI, two doubles, and a home run.

The Wolverines played in the Troy Cox Invitational in New Mexico over the weekend and will play host to NAIA team the College of Idaho in their home opener Saturday in a double header.

The College of Idaho is 3-2, with wins over Dominican, Northwest Christian and George Fox. Coyote Katie Zillner set a school record for strikeouts with 16 against Northwest Christian.