Utah Valley University secured an 11-6 victory over Northern Colorado in the first game of a five-game baseball series at UCCU Ballpark on Friday night. This win is Utah Valley’s eighth consecutive triumph over Northern Colorado in their all-time meetings.
The Wolverines’ offense was led by the middle of their lineup, with players in the fourth through seventh spots combining for nine out of the team’s ten hits. Brody Block achieved a season-high three hits, while Kaden Carpenter, Mason Strong, and Chipper Beck each contributed two runs batted in.
Utah Valley took an early lead after Mason Hamlin and Carpenter hit back-to-back doubles, followed by Block’s single to center field that brought home Carpenter. Beck then singled up the middle to extend UVU’s advantage to 3-0.
Northern Colorado responded by tying the game with runs in both the second and third innings. Their starting pitcher, Reece Wagner, managed to keep Utah Valley from scoring further during these frames.
UVU starter Colton Kennedy pitched five innings, allowing five hits and striking out six batters. With this performance, Kennedy moved past Nick Sims into seventh place on Utah Valley’s all-time strikeouts list. “He settled in as the game progressed, forcing soft contact in the fourth inning and ending his outing with two of his final three outs via strikeout,” according to team officials.
Northern Colorado took a 6-3 lead in the sixth inning after taking advantage of errors by Utah Valley.
In response, Strong hit a home run on the first pitch he faced from Logan Borboa in the bottom half of the sixth inning. Block walked and stole second base before scoring on Beck’s double, narrowing UNC’s lead to one run.
Bradley Gilbert provided relief for Utah Valley with strong pitching during the seventh and eighth innings. He struck out four batters across those frames and retired two others without incident.
Utah Valley completed its comeback in the eighth inning when Strong walked and Block singled to put runners at first and third base. A wild pitch allowed them to tie the score at 6-6 before Hunter Katschke drove Block home with a sacrifice fly for a 7-6 lead. Additional walks loaded the bases before Hamlin drew another walk for an 8-6 margin. Carpenter then hit an infield single that allowed Luke Iverson to score from third base after rounding it during a throw attempt, increasing UVU’s lead further. Strong finished off the rally with a single up the middle for an 11-6 scoreline.
Maddax Peck entered as pitcher in the ninth inning and recorded two strikeouts to secure Utah Valley’s win over Northern Colorado.
“Utah Valley completed the comeback in the eighth inning. Strong led off with a walk and Block followed with a single to put runners on the corners. A wild pitch tied the game at 6-6 before Hunter Katschke lifted a fly ball to right field to score Block and give the Wolverines a 7-6 lead,” team officials said.
The series continues Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled for noon Mountain Time; coverage will be available on ESPN+ as well as audio streaming through GoUVU.com and local ESPN radio apps.
