Utah Valley vs Chicago State
Friday, April 21 - Saturday, April 22  |  6pm / 3pm (DH)
Orem, Utah  |  Brent Brown Ballpark
Live Video (Gm1)  |  Live Video (Gm2-3)
StatBroadcast  |  Live Audio  |  UVU Series Notes
 

ON DECK
Utah Valley University returns home in WAC play to host Chicago State in a three-game series starting Friday night at 6 p.m. MT on the WAC Digital Network. The teams will wrap up the series with a doubleheader on Saturday starting at 3 p.m. MT. 

IN THE HOLE
The Wolverines host Utah next Tuesday, April 25, in the second and final game between the in-state schools this season. UVU won at Utah on March 22, 9-7. Tuesday's contest begins at 6 p.m. MT. 

LAST TIME OUT
UVU was swept at CSU Bakersfield over the weekend, falling 10-0, 9-5, and 7-5. The Wolverines had just two hits in the series opener against CSUB starter Max Carter.

In the series finale, Paxton Schultz started and lasted six innings, striking out seven to match a career high. He surrended three runs on four hits in turning in the quality start, and left the game in line for a win. The bullpen could not hold it though as the Wolverines dropped to 4-5 in WAC play.

Despite going 0-4 last week, there were a handful of bright spots for Utah Valley. In addition to Schultz' start, Marco Briones has pitched well for the Wolverines. The junior left-hander has seen his ERA drop in each of his last five outings, allowing just three earned run over his last 13 innings of work. 

Sophomore infielder Trevor Howell has been hot of late as well, hitting .529 last week, going 9-for-17 with a double. He has upped his average 55 points over the last two weekends. 

Also, senior left-hander Patrick Wolfe has settled nicely into his closer role. He has already notched seven saves, tying him for second on the school's single-season saves record list. Over his last six appearances, spanning 6.2 innings, Wolfe hasn't allowed a run and struck out eight hitters while surrendering just one hit and one walk.

ABOUT THE COUGARS
Chicago State fell at Valparaiso, 10-3, on Tuesday, succumbing to a six-run third inning. The Cougars (8-25, 4-5) are tied with Utah Valley and Northern Colorado for fourth in WAC play with the conclusion of this weekend's series marking the midway point of the conference season.

CSU dropped two of three to Grand Canyon last weekend, but handed the Lopes just their second WAC loss. The Cougars notched a series win at Seattle U to open league play and took one of three from CSU Bakersfield. 

SERIES HISTORY AGAINST CHICAGO STATE
The Wolverines have a 27-2 record all-time against the Cougars and have won nine straight. UVU has gone 12-1 at Brent Brown Ballpark against Chicago State.