OREM, Utah – Danny Beddes pitched into the ninth inning and Zac Willis hit a two-run home run as Utah Valley University edged Minnesota, 3-2, on Saturday night at Brent Brown Ballpark to even the three-game series.
 
Beddes lasted 8.2 innings and left with the tying run on second base before Kyle Valgardson came in and got Matt Stemper to line out to short to end it game.
 
"Danny pitched extremely well. We got those runs in the first two innings and then he took over the game," said UVU head coach Eric Madsen.
 
The Wolverines (10-10) stole a run in the first after Minnesota starter Dalton Sawyer hit two batters in the inning, including Spencer Gothberg to force in a run.
 
Willis' home run was a high blast down the line in left and drove in Ryne Edmondson to give UVU a 3-0 lead after two innings.
 
Jordan Smith produced the Gophers' (9-7) only run through the first eight innings with a sacrifice fly in the fourth inning.
 
Beddes retired the side in order in four different innings, including the eighth, and after allowing a lead off single in the ninth had Minnesota down to its final out after retiring the next two hitters on a flyout and a strikeout.
 
Connor Schaefbauer doubled to the short wall in right on a towering fly ball that was just out of reach of Edmondson, scoring Luke Pettersen from first to make it a 3-2 game.
 
Valgardon picked up his third save after finishing the ninth while Beddes improved to 3-2 after a six strikeout, no walk performance. Sawyer (2-2) lasted 5.2 innings and struck out nine for Minnesota.
 
The rubber match is slated for Sunday at noon MT.