Van Otterloo, Maihi push softball past Utah Valley in DH split

BOX SCORE: at Utah Valley (game one)
BOX SCORE: at Utah Valley (game two)

OREM, Utah -- Hillarie Van Otterloo hit a three-run home run in the seventh inning Friday afternoon against Utah Valley, and Northern Colorado's softball team held on in a crazy bottom half of the inning for a 7-5 victory in the second game of a doubleheader.

The host Wolverines struck for 10 runs earlier in the day for a 10-2 win in the first game between the two teams.

Van Otterloo's blast followed singles from Kelli Henderson and Kailee Vessey and put the Bears (9-20) ahead 7-1.

It was just enough, as Utah Valley scored four in its half of the seventh to cause some hectic moments in the Northern Colorado dugout, but Courtney Maihi, who went the distance in the victory, got the Wolverines' Kylee Steadman to fly out to left field to end the game.

Maihi allowed just four earned runs on six hits in the win and struck out one in her seven innings.

Nine batters picked up hits in the victory, with Jessie Schoepflin leading the way with three and Henderson, Alex Neely and Vessey finishing with two.

Van Otterloo started in the circle in game one, and she was followed in relief by Jamie Juelfs and Henderson.

Utah Valley was ahead just 2-1 going into the fifth inning, but five runs in that fifth frame and three more in the sixth put the game away. Juelfs and Henderson combined to record just one out while allowing five earned runs on six hits in relief.

Steadman finished three-for-three in the win for Utah Valley, including a double, two singles and a walk. She also contributed three RBIs.

The teams will meet again tomorrow, Saturday, March 21, for another doubleheader. First pitch in game one is scheduled for noon.