Utah Valley University’s baseball team lost both games of a doubleheader against Nevada on Saturday at Don Weir Field at Peccole Park in Reno. The Wolverines, now with a 2-4 record for the season, saw notable performances from several players but could not overcome the Wolf Pack in either matchup.
In the first game, Utah Valley fell 7-4. Luke Iverson, Kaden Carpenter, and Chipper Beck each collected two hits. Bradley Gilbert provided relief pitching, throwing three shutout innings after replacing starter Colton Kennedy. The Wolverines took an early lead in the third inning when Iverson reached base on an infield single and later scored on Carpenter’s double to center field.
Nevada responded by scoring five runs over the next two innings to move ahead 5-1. Gilbert kept Nevada scoreless through four innings of relief and escaped trouble in the seventh inning with a runner in scoring position. However, Nevada added two more runs in the eighth to extend their lead.
Utah Valley made a late push with Mason Strong and Beck reaching base, followed by DJ Massey driving in his first run of the season. Down to their final out, Iverson doubled to deep center field to bring home Derek Houston and Massey, narrowing the gap to 7-4 before Nevada closed out the win.
In Game 2, Mason Hamlin led Utah Valley by going 4-for-5 with two RBIs. Carpenter and Hunter Katschke also contributed two hits each during the 9-5 loss. Utah Valley scored in each of the first three innings: Hamlin’s double brought home Iverson for an early lead; a double steal involving Katschke and Trenton Rowan added another run; and additional hits from Carpenter and Rowan increased the advantage to 4-0.
Starter Jacob Heppner allowed just one hit through four innings before Nevada broke through with three runs across the fifth inning. Hamlin extended Utah Valley’s lead with his first home run of the season, continuing his strong start at 10-for-20 at bat so far this year.
Nevada rallied again with three runs in the seventh inning to take a 6-5 lead. The Wolverines threatened in the eighth but left Rowan stranded after he walked and stole second base. Nevada sealed their sweep by adding three more runs in their half of the eighth inning.
Utah Valley will play Nevada again on Sunday for the series finale before returning home next weekend for a four-game series against UC Riverside starting Friday, February 27 at UCCU Ballpark.
