SURPRISE, Ariz. – Danny Beddes pitched seven strong innings as Utah Valley University opened the 2016 season with a 5-1 win over Ball State on Friday night in Arizona.
 
Beddes allowed just two hits and struck out five with the only run the Cardinals (0-2) scored coming in unearned. Patrick Wolfe and Kyle Valgardson both tossed scoreless innings to finish the game and give the Wolverines (1-0) the opening-day victory.
 
"Our staff did a great job of controlling the tempo of the game against a good club that swings the bat well," said UVU head coach Eric Madsen. "I was really happy with the way we came out and played tonight. There was good focus and a serious tone throughout the game."
 
Both hits that Beddes allowed came in the first inning before the senior right-hander finished his outing by retiring 19 of the final 22 hitters he faced.
 
Down 1-0 in the third, Justin Erlandson collected the first of his three hits on the night, stole second and then scored on an RBI single by Jordan Schlehuber, who had two hits of his own.
 
Zac Willis delivered a big hit in the fourth, with a two-run triple to right that scored Craig Brinkerhoff and Jeff Arens. Willis later scored base hit by Erlandson to cap the three-run innings and give UVU a 4-1 advantage.

The Wolverines' fifth run came in the sixth on a two-out bunt single by Erlandson that plated Paul Estrada.

In addition to Erlandson's three-hit night, Mark Krueger also collected three hits. Utah Valley finished with 13 hits while limiting Ball State to just four singles.
 
The Wolverines play a doubleheader on Saturday at Surprise Stadium. They'll face Minnesota at 10 a.m. MT and No. 5 Oregon State at 2 p.m. MT.

Oregon State defeated Ball State earlier in the day, 7-6, and Minnesota topped Utah, 6-1, as part of the weekend tournnament at the Spring Training home of the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers.