Sports briefs

Toolson to play in Portsmouth Invitational

Utah Valley senior guard Ryan Toolson has been invited to play in the Portsmouth Invitational Tournament Apr. 8-11 in Portsmouth, Va.

Each season the top seniors from around the country are invited to play in the tournament to showcase their skills to scouts from both the National Basketball Association and teams and leagues from around the world.

“This is a very exciting and much-deserved opportunity for Ryan,” UVU head coach Dick Hunsaker said. “The Portsmouth Invitational is a prestigious opportunity for collegiate seniors across America to display their abilities and talents in front of the NBA personnel staffs.”

Toolson is Utah Valley’s all-time leading scorer and finished his career with the second best free-throw percentage in NCAA history. His 63 points in a four-overtime win at Chicago State earlier this year marks the highest total any player has scored against an NCAA Division I opponent in the last decade and ties for the 10th highest total all-time.

“I’m really excited to play against the top players in the nation,” Toolson said. “It will be a good opportunity for me.”

UVU wins two after an explosion of offense

Utah Valley University’s softball team exploded offensively Sunday as the Wolverines (8-11) totaled 31 runs and hits in a doubleheader against Eastern Oregon (2-8), winning 9-0 and 22-3.

UVU defeated Eastern Oregon in both games in five innings due to the mercy rule. Freshman Jessica Martin went the distance in both games from the circle and upped her season record to 4-5. In game number one Martin pitched a complete game one-hit shutout and also struck out six Mountaineers. Martin had a breakout weekend as she picked up all four of the Wolverines victories this past weekend in Idaho.

“The girls went out and took care of business today,” UVU head coach Todd Fairbourne said. Obviously our hitting is at a higher level than their (Eastern Oregon’s) pitching. I was happy with how our team really stepped up and performed well in every aspect today. Jessica Martin has really stepped up her game.”