OREM, Utah – Greyson Bogden received his college degree earlier in the day before going 3-for-3 with a home run on Friday night as Utah Valley University opened the weekend with a 7-4 win over CSU Bakersfield at Brent Brown Ballpark.
 
Bogden hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the first and also doubled and scored in the third. Spencer Gothberg – who also graduated on Friday – hit a solo home run for the Wolverines (23-18, 9-7) in the second.
 
Six other Wolverines also received their degrees on Friday: Craig Brinkerhoff, Matt Davidson, Mark Krueger, Chad Michaud, Jordan Schlehuber, and Kyle Valgardson.
 
UVU had several standout defensive plays over the final seven innings, including four double plays and a pair of diving catches in the outfield by Brinkerhoff, including one that ended the game.
 
"Our defense was flat out great for us today. We had some highlight-reel plays and our pitchers did a good job of allowing the defense to go to work in crucial moments," said UVU head coach Eric Madsen. "Last weekend we were unable to win the series despite winning the opening game so it's very important for us to come out tomorrow and play the way we're capable of."
 
Jake Mayer (5-1) pitched 5.1 scoreless innings in relief to pick up the win while Evan Fresquez tossed the final 1.2 innings. Garrett Nimmo (1-5) took the loss for the Roadrunners (9-31, 4-11).
 
Junior Felix hit a three-run home run for CSUB in the second inning to give the 'Runners a 4-2 lead. Gothberg's home run got UVU within a run and Bogden began a two-out rally in the fourth with the double, later scoring the tying run on a base hit by Brinkerhoff.
 
The Wolverines scored three times in the fourth; an RBI single by Bogden scored Justin Erlandson and gave UVU the lead for good. Krueger followed with a double that scored Zac Willis before a throwing error allowed Bogden to come in on the play.
 
The series continues on Saturday with a 6 p.m. first pitch with Danny Beddes slated to start for the Wolverines.