Wolverines host 'Lopes in WAC series starting Friday

OREM, Utah -- Utah Valley University returns home Friday to host Grand Canyon and begin an eight-game homestand that closes out the 2015 home schedule. The three-game WAC series also starts the final stretch of 12 league contests as the top six teams vie for a spot in the WAC Tournament in Mesa, Ariz.

The Wolverines (12-25, 8-7) sit in a tie for fifth place, along with preseason favorite Sacramento State and North Dakota, which face off against one another in Grand Forks, N.D. this weekend. Northern Colorado, at 9-6 in league play, travels to Texas-Pan American in a series that could have a large effect on both UVU's attempt at a both a berth and potential seeding in the tournament.

"With 12 WAC games left there's still a lot of baseball to be played and the cliche of focusing on one game at time is definitely appropriate," said UVU head coach Eric Madsen. "That said we need to win games, plain and simple, and Grand Canyon is 11-3 in the WAC for a reason. They have an excellent offense, stellar pitching staff and are as well-coached as anyone, and they are in a fight for the regular season championship so we have our work cut out for us."

The Antelopes (22-18, 11-3) are just a half game behind Seattle U for the top spot in the league standings having played one less game due to weather in their series at Chicago State. GCU leads the WAC in several major offensive categories including batting average (.306), slugging (.405), on-base percentage (.372), runs scored (257), hits (415) and RBIs (229). Grand Canyon dropped two of three at New Mexico State last weekend and has lost four of five overall. Prior to that though, the 'Lopes had won six straight, all in league play.

The Wolverines are coming off of a tough weekend in Colorado, losing four straight including three at Northern Colorado in a conference series. UVU also lost on Monday at Air Force in a non-conference contest. The entire weekend was affected by weather, with hail, rain and win affecting the series at Northern Colorado and snow and two lightning delays in the game at Air Force. Utah Valley has lost five in a row overall.

Next Tuesday UVU hosts BYU in the final meeting between the teams this season. Following UVU graduation on April 30, the Wolverines host New Mexico State starting Friday, May 1 in the final home WAC series of the year.

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