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Norton Hits Record-Tying Homer in Win
Senior Jodi Norton hit her 21st home run of the season.
May 2, 2007 PROVO, Utah - BYU (34-16, 10-2) continues its record-breaking season with its 14th consecutive win, as the team defeated Utah Valley State (22-27) 12-3 at Gail Miller Field. Senior Jodi Norton, who was named Mountain West Conference Player of the Week today, hit her 21st home run of the season in the bottom of the sixth, ending the game early due to the NCAA softball mercy rule, which calls for stopping play after a team amasses a lead of eight runs or more after the fifth inning. Norton's swat ties the Cougars' all-time single-season home run record. "We've been playing really well right now," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "Today we were able to score runs in different ways. We continue to play well offensively and hit the ball well. All the way around it was a good win for us." Lindsey Dyer hit a two-out solo home run in the second, putting the Wolverines on the board first. Dyer's hit marked the first time Utah Valley had scored on BYU in three games this season. Sophomore Stephanie Platt, who was standing in for usual starter Emi Snow, made an immediate impact with a solo swat of her own in the bottom of the order. With the game knotted at one apiece, Andrea Ramirez smacked a double to center field. Junior Dani Urincho-Snow then hit a line drive down the right field line, placing runners at the corners for Angeline Quiocho. The freshman, who recorded two stolen bases on the night, perfectly executed a bunt allowing Ramirez to score. The next batter, Monica Gonzales loaded up the bases with a slapper to third. A wild pitch brought in Urincho-Snow, and Cortney Nix-Clark followed with an RBI-single to left field. Jennifer Whiteley hit one down the middle, bringing in Gonzales for the 5-1 lead. Utah Valley catcher Jamie Tonis scored another one for the Cougars with a botched pick-off attempt at first base. The error brought Nix-Clark across home plate and sent Whiteley to third. Two batters later, the player who started it all - Platt - hit an RBI-single to end BYU's rally at 7-1. The Cougars recorded a total of nine hits and left just two on base in the game-breaking inning. The Wolverines got a couple back in the third when Cari Hamilton hit an RBI-triple to center field and Cheryl McGraw hit into a fielder's choice that brought Hamilton home. Another wild pitch by Ashly Forsberg, however, would give BYU the 8-3 advantage heading into the fourth. A run by Quiocho in the fifth inning and Norton's record-tying three-run dinger in the sixth gave the game its final score of 12-3. Junior Christina Gwyn got her 14th win of the season, allowing just four hits and striking out two. BYU heads to New Mexico to take on the Lobos in a double-header on Thursday. Games begin at noon (MST) and 2 p.m. and will be available through live stats and live video.
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