Utah Valley University will host Utah Tech for a three-game baseball series beginning April 17, renewing the Old Hammer Rivalry between the two programs. The Wolverines have won seven consecutive games against the Trailblazers, with this weekend’s matchups scheduled to start Friday at 4:05 p.m. Mountain Time and continue through Sunday.
The rivalry series is significant as Utah Valley holds a recent advantage over Utah Tech, including several run-rule victories. All three games will be broadcast on ESPN+, featuring Jordan Bianucci and Brice Larson on commentary for Friday and Sunday, while Michael Forgione joins Bianucci for Saturday’s game. Radio coverage will be available on 103.9 and 98.3 ESPN The Fan, with live stats accessible via GoUVU.com/stats.
In their most recent outings, the Wolverines lost to Sacramento State in their conference opener and played Air Force in Colorado. Five UVU hitters achieved batting averages of .400 or higher over five games, led by Kaden Carpenter’s performance of six hits in eighteen at-bats, two home runs, and nine runs batted in. Mason Hamlin, Mason Strong, Chipper Beck, and Derek Houston also reached that mark; Hamlin and Houston each hit home runs during the stretch.
Pitcher Jacob Heppner delivered a strong performance against Sacramento State with five-and-two-thirds innings pitched and a career-high nine strikeouts. Maddax Peck contributed two-and-two-thirds innings in relief with two strikeouts.
Utah Tech enters the series with a record of 23-14 overall and 2-1 in Western Athletic Conference play after winning its last home series against Azusa Pacific during its WAC bye week. Ty Johnsen leads Utah Tech hitters with a .366 average while Petey Soto Jr. follows closely at .359; Miller Durham has six home runs this season.
Ryan Kroepel was named WAC Preseason Player of the Year for Utah Tech; he has five home runs so far this season along with eight saves as closer across eighteen-and-one-third innings pitched.
Since 2007, UVU holds an overall record of sixteen wins to thirteen losses against Utah Tech; the Trailblazers’ last win in Orem occurred in 2022 but they have never won an entire series there.
Looking ahead, Utah Valley will travel next week for four road games starting Tuesday at Utah in Salt Lake City before resuming conference play at Tarleton State.
