Utah Valley secured a 5-3 victory over the Pacific Tigers in a 10-inning game on Sunday in Stockton, California. Pitcher Lily Riley threw a complete game, setting a new program record for the longest outing with 10 innings pitched. The previous record was held by Heidi Stocks, who pitched 9.2 innings against New Mexico in 2006.
Riley struck out seven batters, including the final hitter of the game, and earned her ninth win of the season. This win places her at the top of the Western Athletic Conference (WAC) for victories and among the top ten nationally. She also leads the WAC with an earned run average (ERA) of 2.20.
Tatum Hall and Emma Haygood both contributed three hits and two RBIs each, marking their first three-hit games this season. Hall hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the fourth inning to give Utah Valley its first lead after trailing early. Haygood’s second RBI provided an insurance run in extra innings.
The game saw Pacific take an early lead with two runs in the third inning following a double and singles during a two-out rally. Utah Valley responded in the fourth inning when Amber Rodriguez walked, advanced on a bunt from Mya Higareda, and scored on Haygood’s single. Hall then homered to center field to make it 3-2.
Pacific tied the score at 3-3 in the seventh inning with a double that dropped behind second base after Angelique Mann’s diving attempt fell short.
With no runs scored in the eighth or ninth innings despite both teams placing runners at third base under international tiebreaker rules, Utah Valley broke through in the tenth. Rodriguez drove in Mann with a sacrifice fly, and Higareda later scored from first base when Haygood’s fly ball was lost by Pacific’s fielder.
Riley closed out her complete game by retiring all three batters she faced in the bottom of the tenth inning.
Utah Valley will remain in Northern California for two more games, starting Monday against UC Davis at 4:30 p.m. Mountain Time; coverage will be available on ESPN+.
