March 4, 2006 

OREM, Utah - Utah Valley State jumped to a 9-0 lead after two innings of play and held off Air Force in the latter innings to take the series finale from the Falcons.

The Wolverines scored six runs in the bottom of the first aided by a two run single from Canyon Vance, an RBI double from Dan Bulow and a two-run double by Kade Boyer. 

Utah Valley chased Falcon starter Clayton Couch after just 1/3 of an inning after giving up six runs on six hits. 

In the second inning, after doubles by Slesk and Vance, Bulow hit his first home run of the season to give UV that nine-run lead.

"The kids had a meeting and decided they were gonna come out and play hard and be determined and they did that," said Utah Valley coach Steve Gardner. "We didn't have any errors or any mental mistakes and that's how you have to play to win at this level." 

Air Force added a run in the third when leadoff hitter Dustin Smith hit his first home run of the season to left. The Wolverines matched that run in the bottom of the third after freshman Jason Zundel hammered his first career home run to extend the lead to 10-1.

The Falcons wouldn't go away though, scoring four in the top of the fourth and two in the seventh to make things interesting.

"Hey those guys battle. It's never over with them." said Gardner referring to Air Force. 

Kyle Tash (3-1) pitched 6 2/3 innings to earn the win while Couch (0-1) took the loss.

Freshman Kyle Beecher worked the final 2 1/3 innings and allowed just one baserunner on a walk.

Bulow led the Wolverines with three hits and three RBI on the day while Vance and Boyer both had two hits and three runs batted in. Slesk, Adam Openshaw and Chris Benson all had two hits as well for UV.

For Air Force, Smith led the way with three hits and two runs batted in.

Up next for the Wolverines is an extended road swing that has them playing the next 12 games on the road beginning with a three-game series next weekend at UC Davis.