The Trailblazers lost their Western Athletic Conference opener to Utah Valley, 5-2, on March 20 at Wolverine Softball Field in Orem, Utah. Despite allowing only two hits and outhitting the Wolverines, Utah Tech was unable to overcome a five-run first inning by the home team.
This game marked the start of conference play for both teams. The result is significant as it sets the tone for the rest of the series and impacts early standings in the Western Athletic Conference.
Utah Tech (10-19, 0-1 WAC) collected five hits compared to Utah Valley’s (18-8, 1-0 WAC) two. Kinley Pappas led the Trailblazers with her 16th multi-hit game of the season, recording a single and a double along with an RBI. Freshman Summer Sanderson hit her third home run of the year, while senior Lakaiya-Braessia Kahahawai-Kekona notched her first triple this season. Junior Drew McKown contributed her first double and drew a walk.
Pitcher Sauren Garton threw her 23rd career complete game for Utah Tech, going six innings with two hits allowed, five earned runs, five walks, and three strikeouts. All five runs scored by Utah Valley came in the bottom of the first inning after two walks and a hit batter loaded the bases. Another walk brought in a run before Tatum Hall hit a grand slam to left-center field.
The Trailblazers responded with solo runs in each of the next two innings—a home run by Sanderson in the second and a sacrifice fly from Pappas in the third—but were held to just two more hits over the final four innings as Utah Valley secured the win.
The series will continue Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled to begin at noon at Wolverine Softball Field.
