WICHITA, Kansas – Utah Valley University got solid contributions from several newcomers but fell in the 2017 season opener, 4-3, at Wichita State on Friday at Eck Stadium.
 
Both team's bullpens were impressive, with neither allowing a base runner after the top of the sixth. Freshman right-hander and Orem High School product Paxton Schultz retired all nine hitters he faced for the Wolverines (0-1). He struck out the side in order in the bottom of the eighth, with all three looking.

"Even though we came up short I thought we had some good performances today. Jackson (Cofer) pitched well enough to get a win and Paxton was great out of the bullpen. It was good to see some of the new guys contribute with the bat too," said UVU head coach Eric Madsen. "There were a couple of plays defensively and some offensive opportunities that we need to take advantage of in order to win these well-pitched games though and that was disappointing. We'll continue to work and move forward."
 
The trio of Wichita State (1-0) pitchers to come out of the bullpen were also perfect, while striking out eight of the nine batters they faced over the final three innings. Reagan Biechler struck out a pair in the ninth to pick up the save. Biechler, Landon Holifield, and Ben Hecht combined to strike out eight of the nine batters they faced, including the first five looking.
 
Junior transfer Jackson Overlund went 2-for-4 with a solo home run in the top of the sixth for the Wolverines. It was the last base runner that either team would produce.
 
Utah Valley Freshman Kade Poulsen singled on the first pitch he saw in the top of the third and then doubled on the first pitch of the fifth inning. He finished 2-for-3 with a run scored in his collegiate debut. Another freshman, Jake Berry, drove in each of the first two Wolverine runs. The first RBI came on a groundout in the third before he followed Poulsen's fifth-inning double with one of his own, tying the game at 2-2.
 
In the bottom of the fifth, WSU's Greyson Jenista delivered a two-run double to deep left-center, giving the Shockers a 4-2 lead that would hold up. Both teams finished with six hits on the day. Jordan Boyer had a two-out, two-run single in the second to drive in Wichita State's first two runs. Travis Young joined Jenista with a two-hit day for the Shockers.

Willie Schwanke pitched 6.0 innings and allowed three runs on six hits while striking out three to pick up the win. Jackson Cofer surrendered four runs on six hits with a pair of strikeouts in five innings of work. He pitched well but took the loss, with two swings of the bat producing all four runs for the Shockers.
  
Junior right-hander Jake Mayer will start on Saturday for Utah Valley in game two of the series. First pitch is slated for 2 p.m. CT/1 p.m. MT and can be seen on ESPN3.com or the Watch ESPN app.