CHICAGO – Danny Beddes became Utah Valley University's career wins leader and matched the career strikeout record in an 8-3 win at Chicago State University on Thursday night.
 
Like the final scored, Beddes moved to 8-3 on the season in collecting his 19th career victory and passing Ryan Chadwick on the wins list. He struck out nine over five innings of work, matching a season high and giving him 219 for his career, tying him with Marcus Moore atop the list in that category. He allowed just two runs on three hits as the UVU (31-21, 16-9) pitching staff combined to strike out 13 batters.
 
"I'm really happy for Danny that he was able to get that record. He's had a really good year and career and has a lot to be proud of," said UVU head coach Eric Madsen. "We didn't play a perfect game by any means but getting a win tonight was key. We really need to find our stride as we get set for next week's tournament."
 
Jake Mayer followed Beddes and struck out two while retiring each of the four batters he faced. Greg McCuch also collected a pair of strikeouts before Logan Hold retired the side in order in the ninth.
 
Mark Krueger and Spencer Gothberg had two hits apiece for the Wolverines with Gothberg driving in two runs. The Cougars (13-40, 6-19) had five hits on the night, two each from Cody Grosse and Julian Russell.
 
UVU jumped ahead in the top of the second when Justin Erlandson walked, moved to second on a base hit by Krueger and then scored on Gothberg's single to right. Trevor Howell had an infield single to score the second run before Zac Willis' RBI groundout gave UVU a 3-0 lead.
 
Jordan Schlehuber had an RBI in the fourth before Trevor Howell stole third and scored on a throwing error to give Utah Valley a 5-1 advantage. Krueger had an RBI single in the sixth before the Wolverines added their final two runs – on a balk and a Gothberg sac fly – in the seventh.
 
Utah Valley remained in a tie for third after Sacramento State, 6-3 winners over league leader Seattle U. New Mexico State defeated Northern Colorado to move into a tie for first and clinch no worse than the number two seed. The Wolverines will be either the third or fourth seed and play next Wednesday in the opening round of the WAC Tournament at Hohokam Park in Mesa, Arizona.
 
The weekend series continues on Friday with a 3 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT first pitch. Saturday's finale is slated for noon CT/11 a.m. MT.