March 6, 2009

OREM, Utah - The Utah Valley University baseball team (4-5) fell at home against Northern Colorado (5-6) Friday 10-7 after beating UNC twice on Thursday.

The Wolverines had 31 hits in Thursday's double-header and continued to swing the bat successfully early on Friday, but were unable to sustain the offensive pressure and limit the Bears' offense late in the game.

"It's one of those days that you don't want to see," UVU head coach Eric Madsen said. "The pitching wasn't as good as it could have been. We can't walk guys, and we have to find a way to drive in runners. We still have a chance to win the series. That's what we're focused on, and that's what we're looking to do tomorrow."

UNC scored three runs in the top of the first inning, but senior Jory Jensen came on in relief in the second and kept the Bears at bay for the majority of six innings. He took the loss giving up four runs on nine hits with one walk and two strikeouts.

Utah Valley tied the score in the bottom of the second inning with a two-out double from freshman Riley White followed by an RBI single from sophomore Jake Rickenbach. The Bears put one more run on the board in the top of the third, but the Wolverines took a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the frame on a two-RBI single to left field from sophomore Chris Benson.

Both teams scored one more run in the sixth, and White picked up his third RBI of the game in the inning. Northern Colorado scored two more in the seventh and three more in the eighth to take a 10-6 lead and almost put the game out of reach. Senior Jace Brinkerhoff hit an RBI single in the bottom of the eighth after moving from third base to pitch in the top half of the frame, but UVU would not score again.

Brinkerhoff had a game-high three hits in five at bats and scored a run in addition to his RBI in the eighth. In total the Wolverines picked up 12 hits and gave up 13 to the Bears.

The same two teams will finish their four-game series Saturday at noon at Brent Brown Ballpark.