March 4, 2004 

LEWISTON, Idaho - Jason Ward struck out twelve University of Portland hitters and pitched eight strong innings in Utah Valley State's 5-4 win in the opening game of the Banana Belt Tournament Thursday. 

With the win the Wolverines improve to 1-4 on the year and notch their first NCAA Division I win. 

In the top of the second inning UVSC struck first with three straight two out base hits. "Pepe" Jones singled up the middle followed by Jeff Broadhead who singled to left field. With runners on first and second Canyon Vance came to the plate and promptly hit a ball in the right-centerfield gap for a 2 RBI triple. 

Portland starter Matthew Peters kept the Wolverine offense in check holding them scoreless through the next six innings. Peter's efforts allowed the Pilots to get back in the game. UP scored a single run in the third, fourth, and seventh innings to tie the game, 3-3. 

In the top of the ninth inning Jones came up big again for the Wolverines. He deposited a first pitch fastball in the left-centerfield gap for a lead off double. Broadhead tried to move Jones to third, but flew out to right field. With one out Vance hit a slow roller that  Pilot third baseman, Travis Vetters had to field and throw on the run, but he threw it wide down the right field line allowing Jones to score on the play. 

With two outs Trent Perry hit another ball down the third baseline that snuck through Vetter's legs allowing Vance to come around to score and give UVSC a 5-3 lead going into the bottom of the ninth. 

Ward started the ninth but gave way to reliever Todd Bateman after Portland got the first two runners on. Bateman walked the next hitter to load the bases and make things interesting. Josh Goff hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield to cut the Wolverine lead to 5-4, but that was as close as the Pilots would get. Vetters had a chance to redeem himself, but rolled a ground ball to third baseman, Reno Mendenhall who stepped on third and threw to first to complete a game ending double play. 

Ward improves to 1-1 on the year and Bateman earned his first save of the year. 

The Wolverines will play on Friday at 2:00 pm (MST) against Gonzaga University. Live stats can be followed by going HERE