LONG BEACH, Calif. – Utah Valley University saw Long Beach State score twice in the eighth to win 4-2 on Saturday afternoon at Blair Field. Seth Rhineer had a game-tying double in the eighth but the Dirtbags (5-1) answered with two in the bottom of inning on the way to their fourth straight win.

Both Utah Valley (0-6) runs came on two-out hits and runners in scoring position, something the Wolverine offense had been lacking so far this season. Still it wasn't enough to prevent Long Beach State from clinching the series heading into Sunday's finale at 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT.

"We need more guys to take advantage of big opportunities to help us win games, both at the plate and on the defensive side," said head coach Eric Madsen. "I was pleased with the pitching staff. They really competed and did a great job for us today."
 
Long Beach State got a run in the first when Zack Domingues scored on a passed ball, and then added another run in the third when Zack Rivera tripled home Garrett Hampson.
 
The Wolverines pushed a run across in the top of the fourth with a two-out RBI single from Jake Atkinson to plate Kade Andrus. The score remained 2-1 until the eighth when Greyson Bogden singled, moved to second on a Cam Zollinger sacrifice and later scored on Rhineer's double down the line in left.
 
In the decisive inning, Hampson doubled with one out and scored on a base hit by Luke Rasmussen for the go-ahead run. Rivera came in as the fourth run later in the inning on a Daniel Jackson sacrifice fly.

Wolverine starter Jackson Cofer allowed two runs in 5.1 innings in just his second collegiate start. He went without a decision. Long Beach State starter Tanner Brown pitched 6.1 innings and gave up one run on four hits while striking out six. He left with the lead and in line for the win but also did not factor into the decision.

The Wolverines were retired in order in the ninth by Ty Provencher, who pitched the final 1.1 innings and was the winning pitcher. Kyle Valgardson took the loss for UVU.