Moore’s No-hitter Leads UVU Softball to Win Versus BYU
Tim Castaneda | Sports Writer | @xTIMBOxSLICEx
Photo Credit: Gabi Campbell, Photo Editor, @gabicampbellphotos
UVU softball’s Haley Kofler hit a grand slam and Bailey Moore pitched a no-hit shutout on the road as they led UVU to a 13-0 blow-out Saturday afternoon in UVU’s first-ever victory against BYU at Gail Miller Field.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Moore only needed to retire three straight Cougar batters to earn her first ever, no-hit shutout. It started with Moore striking out the lead-off batter Brittany Call. Following the strikeout, BYU’s Megan Arnold struck the ball straight to Moore, who then threw her out at first. Then, UVU’s Tayleigh Williams fielded a grounder at third base, positioned herself and threw out BYU’s Ashley Godfrey at first for the final out of the game.
“It feels pretty great,” said Moore. “But I can’t do it without my defense. They get the ball in play and it’s up to them to get the outs. They did a great job today.”
As impressive as UVU’s pitching showed it was, the team’s defense also showed impressive ability by turning two double plays on the day, including a great play by shortstop Tiani Hensley in the fourth inning. With two outs to go, Hensley caught a line-drive hit by BYU’s McKenzie St. Clair and then threw out a BYU runner at first to keep Moore’s no-hitter alive.
UVU head coach Nikki Palmer praised her team for putting together an all-around performance, both offensively and defensively, on the diamond on the Wolverines’ big day in Provo.
“A hundred percent total team effort, up and down all the way,” she said. “From the pinch runners that were aggressive with good reads on the bases, all the way to Bailey, the defense behind her, Tiani (Hensley) coming up with a big one to save the no-hitter and up and down the line up just taking care of business. People that didn’t get hits today still got on base with walks. It shows a lot of discipline and heart.”
The Wolverines’ bats steamed as hot as Moore’s throwing arm, as they scored 13 runs on 7 hits for the day to back up, and take the pressure off of, their pitcher.
Brianna Gatlin started the hot hitting for UVU at the top of the first when she hit an RBI single to center field, which BYU’s centerfielder Marissa Gordy Bravo was unable to get a hold of. Then four batters later, Kofler hit a deep ball over left field fence to open up an early 5-0 lead and set the tone for her team. That momentum carried all the way over to the fifth and final inning of the game, as UVU piled on four more runs to cap off another big inning to complete a wonderful day at the plate.
BYU pitcher McKenna Bull, who started on the mound, was credited with the loss after she struggled through two innings, giving up seven earned runs, five hits and four walks. She also tallied four strikeouts.
In the end the game came down to pitching. The Wolverines were able to hit off of the Cougars right and left. Where as Moore was untouchable thanks in part to her strong defensive backing.
