STOCKTON, Calif. – Pacific took the opener of a four-game series over Utah Valley University, 4-0, behind a combined shutout from Shelby Lackey and Cooper Casad. UVU starter Jake Mayer also pitched well, with his only blemish coming in a four-run fifth inning. The big blow was three-run home run from Keaton Glover.
 
Mayer (1-1) went the distance for the Wolverines (1-3), pitching 8.0 innings and matching his career high with eight strikeouts. Lackey and Casad combined to strike out 13 batters with Lackey notching eight in 5.0 innings. He got the win after allowing just three hits and a pair of walks while Casad walked a pair but allowed no other baserunners while striking out five and earned the save. Each team finished with just three hits on the night. 
 
The Wolverines had the first real chance to score early when they loaded the bases with one out after David Modler singled, Trevor Howell walked and Michael Beltran was hit by a pitch. Lackey was able to get a strikeout and foul out to end the threat and the keep the game scoreless.
 
UVU had runners in scoring position after a wild pitch moved Howell to second and Beltran to third in the fifth inning, but again Lackey got out of the jam with an inning-ending strikeout. That strikeout ended his day after five shutout innings.
 
In the only run-scoring frame of the ballgame, Nate Verlin flared a lead off double into left-center and later scored on an errant throw. Glover's three-run home run capped the scoring and plated Lucas Halstead and Carter Hayes.
 
The series continues on Saturday with a doubleheader slated to begin at 2 p.m. MT. The teams will play a seven-inning game in the opener and a nine-inning contest in game two.