Oregon State
Utah (UNLV Tournament)
Vanessa Iapala's Walk-Off 8th Inning Grand Slam Leads Softball Past Utah, 9-5
February 13, 2004 | Softball
Feb. 13, 2004
LAS VEGAS, Nev. - Sophomore first baseman Vanessa Iapala blasted a walk-off grand slam home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to give Oregon State a 9-5 victory against University of Utah in Friday's opening round game of the UNLV Softball Classic.
Iapala matched the Oregon State record for hits in a single game after finishing with a 4-for-5 clip from the plate, including five RBI and a double. The grand slam was the second of her career after she belted one in her first-ever collegiate at-bat.
The Beavers (10-3) rallied from a 4-1 deficit to tie the game in the bottom of the fifth inning by scoring three runs. Sophomore outfielder Adrienne Alo belted a two-run home run in the frame and a pair of Utah (4-2) errors proved costly, as OSU's Kelly Petersen knotted the score when she crossed the plate on an errant throw.
The Utes took advantage of a pair of sacrifice bunts to regain the lead at 5-4 in the eighth inning, but Oregon State rallied back when Alana Mendoza scored after Petersen was hit by a pitch. Iapala followed with her one-out shot that ended the game.
A trio of Beaver pitchers saw action in the circle with Brianne McGowan throwing three innings from the start before Ta'Tyana McElroy tossed a pair. Senior Monica Hoffman improved to 6-2 on the season after entering the game in the top of the sixth.
Alo finished the game with a 2-for-4 mark from the plate, belting a double, scoring two runs and tallying two RBI. Freshman Mia Longfellow added two runs scored to go along with a 1-for-3 effort from the plate.
Glennis Donnely led Utah with a perfect 3-for-3 mark, including a double and home run.
Oregon State continues Friday's tournament action with a 6:30 p.m. match-up against No. 10 Michigan.
GAME RESULTS:
Utah - 200 110 01 - 5 8 3
Oregon State - 100 030 05 - 9 10 1
McGowan, McElroy (4), Hoffman (6) and Allen (OSU), Oakes and Nygaard (Utah). WP - Hoffman (6-2). LP - Oakes (0-1). 2B - Iapala (OSU), Alo (OSU), Donnelly (Utah). HR - Alo (OSU), Iapala (OSU), Donnelly (Utah), Quintero (Utah).
