Utah Valley University’s baseball team lost its 2026 home opener on Friday evening, falling 10-9 to UC Riverside at UCCU Ballpark. Mason Strong led the Wolverines with three hits in four at-bats, while Kaden Carpenter contributed three runs batted in during a two-hit performance. For UC Riverside, Evan Chavez went 3-for-4 and hit a home run.
The Wolverines started strong by scoring four runs in the second inning. Chipper Beck tripled to left-center field to score Strong and give UVU an early lead. Derek Houston added another run with a groundout, and Carpenter delivered a two-run single to bring in DJ Massey and Luke Iverson.
Colton Kennedy made his first home start of the season for Utah Valley, pitching 4 1/3 innings and striking out six batters. With this outing, Kennedy moved into eighth place on UVU’s all-time career strikeouts list with 138, surpassing Adam Gunn and Mason Gray.
UC Riverside responded by tying the game with runs in both the third and fourth innings. The Wolverines regained the lead after drawing several walks in the fourth; Carpenter drove in his third run of the game for a 5-4 advantage.
Utah Valley overcame an 8-5 deficit in the sixth inning. Iverson doubled to open the frame, and Hunter Katschke reached base on a throwing error that allowed a run to score. Strong tied it up at 8-8 with a single but was left stranded at third base.
Bradley Gilbert pitched a quick seventh inning to keep things even. UVU threatened again as Smith and Iverson reached scoring position but were unable to capitalize.
In the eighth inning, UC Riverside took a one-run lead on a single down the left-field line before adding another run following a UVU throwing error. Carpenter managed to throw out a runner at home from right field, limiting further damage.
The Wolverines attempted a comeback in their final turn at bat. Brody Block walked on six pitches, followed by Smith drawing another walk after nine pitches. Massey laid down a bunt to load the bases with no outs. Iverson’s sacrifice fly brought Utah Valley within one run of tying, but Matt Hudson retired Hamlin on a flyout before Cooper Brass ended the game with another out as UVU left the bases loaded.
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Next up for Utah Valley is a doubleheader against UC Riverside on Saturday starting at 12:05 p.m., with both games available on ESPN+. The series will conclude Sunday afternoon.
