March 11, 2013

OREM, Utah -- Utah Valley University's early spring road swing continues Tuesday as the Wolverines get set for eight games in Kissimmee, Fla., at the Rebel Spring Games.

The Games, which run from Tuesday to Saturday, will pit UVU (6-8) against an octet of opponents. Tuesday's fixtures include matchups with North Dakota (1 p.m. MT) and Youngstown State (3 p.m.) while St. Peter's (7 a.m.) and Wagner (9 a.m.) await the Wolverines on Wednesday. A day off Thursday gives way to Friday metings with Green Bay (7 a.m.) and Fairleigh Dickinson (11 a.m.). The week wraps up Saturday as UVU faces Rider (7 a.m.) and Columbia (9 a.m.).

The Last Meeting North Dakota 2 Utah Valley 3 May 13, 2012 Farmers Branch, Texas Wolverines Fall to Houston Baptist, 3-2 Utah Valley University's Tiffany Mills allowed just two runs on five hits in leading the Wolverines to the 3-2 victory over North Dakota in Game 1 of the Great West Conference softball tournament Sunday morning. Recap | Box Score

The Last Meeting Utah Valley 8   Youngstown State 0 (5) February 24, 2012 Greensboro, North Carolina Mills Opens Weekend for UVU by Shutting Out Youngstown State Utah Valley University junior Tiffany Mills pitched a complete game shutout and the Wolverine offense slugged out four home runs in the opener of the North Carolina A&T Softball Invitational on Friday morning as UVU defeated Youngstown State 8-0 in five innings. Recap | Box Score

The Last Meeting Fairleigh Dickinson 3 Utah Valley 1 March 13, 2012 Kissimmee, Florida Wolverine Softball Splits on Tuesday in Florida The Utah Valley University softball team proved it was human by losing its first game at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla., Tuesday as it fell to Fairleigh Dickinson University 3-1. The Wolverines immediately responded however by recovering from an early 4-0 deficit to defeat Columbia University 8-5 later in the day. Recap | Box Score

The Last Meeting Utah Valley 8 Columbia 5 March 13, 2012 Kissimmee, Florida Wolverine Softball Splits on Tuesday in Florida The Utah Valley University softball team proved it was human by losing its first game at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla., Tuesday as it fell to Fairleigh Dickinson University 3-1. The Wolverines immediately responded however by recovering from an early 4-0 deficit to defeat Columbia University 8-5 later in the day. Recap | Box Score

The Last Meeting Rider 2 Utah Valley 2 March 11, 2012 Kissimmee, Florida Softball Ends Sunday Contest in 2-2 Tie Utah Valley and Rider ended in a 2-2 draw Sunday morning at the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla., due to heavy rainfall. The Wolverines (10-4-1) were also schedule to play Lafayette on the day but the contest was cancelled because of the wet weather and will not be made up. Recap | Box Score

Each of UVU's final three contests stands as a rematch from last season's edition of the Rebel Spring Games. The Wolverines would finish that week at 7-1-1, their only blemish coming in the form of a 3-1 loss to FDU. UVU also tied 2-2 with Rider a year ago and defeated Columbia of the Ivy League 8-5.

"We're looking forward to the Rebel Spring Games," said head coach Rachel Hartgrove. "Last year we had a lot of success out here and we're looking to continue that. These games are crucial for us as we begin to get ready for conference play coming up at the end of the month."

UVU opens the Games against former Great West Conference rival UND. The Wolverines claimed all three meetings last season, including a win in the first round of the GWC tournament. North Dakota, which now competes in the Big Sky Conference, is 2-10 on the year.

The Phoenix of UWGB, UVU's first game Friday, are 0-5 on the season but gave No. 1 Alabama a tough game during the UNI Dome Tournament. The Phoenix hung with the Crimson Tide until the end and had the game tied at 7-7 late, but ultimately fell by a 10-7 score line.

The Wolverines also faced off with an SEC squad recently, closing up a three-game series with Arkansas on Sunday. After being shutout in the series' first two contests, UVU used a strong pitching performance from Tiffany Mills and a two-run, second inning home run from second baseman Dynasty Lauvai to grab a 3-1 win over the Razorbacks.

Lauvai's homer gives her three on the season, good for the team lead. Shortstop Krystin Jachim also drove in a run Sunday, capping a week in which she batted .364 (4-for-11).

Freshman Morgan Summers holds the team lead in batting average at .371, followed closely by junior Amanda Robinson's .357 average and senior Kylee Brinkerhoff's .354 mark.

In the circle, Mills is 5-4 on the season with a 2.54 ERA. In the game three win over Arkansas, Mills pitched allowed just one earned run, scattered seven hits, and struck out six Razorbacks in a complete-game win.

Following the Games, Utah Valley returns home for its final tune-up before Pacific Coast Softball Conference play begins. Marist, of the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference, will visit Orem on March 20, just three days prior to the PCSC opener at Saint Mary's.