OREM, Utah – Zac Willis homered for the second straight game but Utah Valley University couldn't complete a late comeback attempt as Indiana State took game two of a doubleheader, 11-8, on Saturday. The Sycamores (5-5) swept the twin bill, winning game one 10-5. The Wolverines (2-8) will attempt to earn a series split on Sunday after winning Friday's series opener.
 
UVU trailed 8-3 entering the eighth inning before putting four runs on the board beginning with Willis' second home run of the twin bill. Over the course of Saturday's two contests, Willis went 5-for-9 with two home runs and six RBIs.
 
"It's the same thing that's hurt us all year. We don't make the plays when we need to or the pitches when we need to," said UVU head coach Eric Madsen. "Our guys need to trust themselves and play the way they're capable of playing."
 
Willis' home run led off the eighth to make it an 8-4 contest. Jackson Overlund doubled to follow Willis and then later scored on a single to left by Nick Simmons. Jake Atkinson had an infield single and, after both runners advanced on a passed ball, Luke Jacketta drove them both home with a pinch-hit, two-out double to get Utah Valley within a run, 8-7.
 
Indiana State added three insurance runs in the top of the ninth, two coming on a double by Clay Dungan.
 
Trevor Howell had a two-run double as part of a three-run third inning to put UVU in front 3-1, but Indiana State responded with three in the fourth and four in the fifth.  
 
The Sycamores finished with 17 hits while the Wolverines had a season-high 15. Overlund and Jake Atkinson both had three-hit games while Simmons was 2-for-5 with two RBIs. Tony Rosselli was 4-for-5 while Chris Ayers and Cody Gardner both had three hits for Indiana State. 
 
Tyler Ward (2-1) pitched 5.0 innings in relief and allowed one run on four hits to pick up the win. Kaden Schmitt (0-1) took the loss for Utah Valley. Marco Briones tossed 3.0 scoreless innings and struck out three for the Wolverines.
 
The series will wrap up on Sunday with a 1 p.m. MT start. Freshman Paxton Schultz will be on the mound for the Wolverines.