OREM, Utah – A five-run fifth inning, behind four key two out RBIs and a strong performance out of the bullpen by Boyd Bell helped Utah Valley University even its three-game WAC series with Grand Canyon, 6-5, on Saturday afternoon. The game came after the completion of Friday's halted contest, which GCU (23-19, 12-4) won 14-6.

With the Wolverines (13-26, 9-8) trailing 5-1 heading to the bottom of the sixth, Craig Brinkerhoff singled home Greyson Bogden to make it a 5-2 contest. Later, with two outs and the bases loaded, Palmer Page tied the game with a three-run triple to right-center. Page then scored what turned out to be the winning run when Seth Rhineer – who also singled home Page with two outs in the second inning – drove him home with a base hit to center.

Boyd Bell then entered with two on and one out in the seventh and pitched 2.2 scoreless innings, stranding the potential tying run on third to end the game and earn his first save.

"I was very disappointed with the way that first game ended but to come out and get that second win was a good response from the guys," said UVU head coach Eric Madsen. "We got some big hits in key situations and a big effort from our pitching staff. Jackson Cofer did a great job early to change the momentum from the earlier game and then to see Boyd finish off the game like that and get a well-deserved save is great."

Cofer, who started and lasted 5.2 innings, didn't factor into the decision but pitched scoreless baseball into the fifth. Marco Briones picked up the win in relief of Cofer to improve to 2-1 on the year. Andrew Naderer (3-5) took the loss after allowing six runs on eight hits while striking out seven in 5.2 innings.

In addition to his three RBIs, Page had a pair of hits and scored twice. Rhineer, Kade Andrus and Brinkerhoff joined Page with two hits apiece.

In the first game, which was halted on Friday night due to rain with Grand Canyon leading 6-5 in the bottom of the fourth, the Antelopes used a five-run fifth to break a 6-6 tie in winning the opener.

Page began the resumption of Friday's game with a two-out RBI single to tie it at 6-6 nearly 14 hours after the game was paused, but the 'Lopes scored the final eight runs to win going away.

Paul Panaccione was 4-for-5 with three runs while Chad De La Guerra had three hits and three RBIs including a two-run home run.

Brinkerhoff had three hits with Andrus, Zac Fuller, Page, Bogden, and Krueger each collecting two hits for the Wolverines. Krueger also drove in two runs on a triple to deep left field in the fourth inning.

Mick Vorhof (3-0) pitched 5.1 shutout innings in relief of Coley Bruns to pick up the win. Braden Poole (0-1) took the loss for Utah Valley. The rubber match is slated for Sunday at noon MT.

GAME 1


GAME 1 CONCLUSION 


GAME 2