RIVERSIDE, CA. – The 2025 University Credit Union WAC Softball Tournament kicked off Wednesday with the single elimination games and the opening double elimination round at the John C. Funk Stadium. The Lancers and Wolverines advanced to the double elimination bracket as No. 6 California Baptist defeated No. 7 UT Arlington 4-1 and No. 8 Utah Valley shutout No. 5 Abilene Christian 8-0.

The Lancers continued their winning ways into the evening and took down No. 3 Southern Utah 9-3. No. 4 Seattle U came alive offensively on the nightcap as the Redhawks defeated the Wolverines 10-3 to move on in the winners’ bracket.

The second day of the 2025 University Credit Union WAC Softball Tournament will begin at 10 a.m. PT on Thursday with No. 2 Tarleton State taking on No. 6 California Baptist. No. 1 seed Grand Canyon and No. 4 Seattle U will meet at 1 p.m. PT to determine who advances in the tournament. No. 8 Utah Valley will await the loser of the Tarleton State and California Baptist matchup at 4 p.m. PT and No. 3 Southern Utah will look to avoid elimination as they will take on the loser of Seattle U and Grand Canyon at 7 p.m. PT.

Game 1 – No. 6 California Baptist 4, No. 7 UT Arlington 1 | Box Score

Kalena Burns provided all the offensive for California Baptist in game one as Burns collected two two-run doubles, one in the first inning and another in the third. Morgan McConnell picked up her ninth win of the season, throwing a complete game while allowing only one earned run and racking up six strikeouts.

Talia Maldonado prevented McConnell from the complete game shutout as she knocked in the Mavericks’ only run of the game in the top of the seventh by hitting an RBI double with two outs.

Game 2 – No. 8 Utah Valley 8, No. 5 Abilene Christian 0 (6 innings) | Box Score

Avery Sapp and Payge Armendariz tag teamed the shutout in game two, as the pair held the Wildcats to just two hits in six innings.
 
Sapp also got the scoring started for the Wolverines when she drove in two runs with a single to right center in the top of the fourth, breaking the scoreless tie. Megan Gibbs followed Sapp with an RBI triple, giving UVU the 3-0 lead. Peyton Hall broke the game open with a three-run homer in the sixth inning, extending Utah Valley’s lead to 8-0 and putting the mercy rule into effect following the bottom half of the inning. Seven of the Wolverines’ eight runs came with two outs.
 
Game 3 – No. 6 California Baptist 9, No. 3 Southern Utah 3 | Box Score

California Baptist responded to a game-tying three-run sixth inning from Southern Utah with a monster six-run top of the seventh to put the game out of reach from the Thunderbirds and move onto the winner’s bracket. Valerie Alvarez recorded the game-winning hit for the Lancers with a bases-loaded two-run single to left field. Alvarez went 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Six different Lancers recorded an RBI in the game. Annika Hollingsworth picked up the win for CBU, pitching the last 1.2 innings without giving up a run.
 
Amyah Boostedt drove in the game-tying run with an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth inning, in part of a 2-for-3 day. Taralyn Ollison had a solid day at the plate for Southern Utah, going 3-for-3 with a run scored.
 
Game 4 – No. 4 Seattle U 10, No. 8 Utah Valley 3 | Box Score

The nighttime was the right time for Seattle U as the bats caught fire against the Wolverines, scoring 10 runs for the second consecutive game. A six-run third inning, which followed a two-run second inning, was all the Redhawks needed to widen their lead and pull away with the win. Karen Spadafora put on an offensive clinic tonight hitting a home run, a double and a single for two RBI and three runs scored. Other notable performances from Seattle U tonight included Mikee Morris (3-for-4, RBI, R) and Sophia Kissling (2-for-2, 2 RBI, R). Seven total Redhawks picked up an RBI tonight.

After giving up three runs in the first inning, Berkley Vance found her groove in the pitching circle and tossed five scoreless innings to prevent Utah Valley from making any comeback.

Avery Sapp got the scoring started for Utah Valley once again in game four with a bases-loaded two-run single, her second 2-RBI hit on the day. Amber Rodriguez tallied two hits on the night and scored one run.