As of Thursday evening, the series has now been altered to a Friday doubleheader beginning at 12:30 p.m. MT/11:30 a.m. PT due to expected rain on Saturday. 

OREM, Utah – Fresh off of a trip to the East Coast at SEC foe South Carolina, the Utah Valley University baseball team will return to the West Coast for a four-game non-conference series at UC Davis of the Big West Conference this weekend (March 1-3). 
 
The Wolverines and Aggies will open the series on Friday with a single game at 3 p.m. MT/2 p.m. PT. The teams will then play a doubleheader on Saturday with games at 1 p.m. MT/noon PT and 4 p.m. MT/3 p.m. PT, before closing the series on Sunday at 2 p.m. MT/1 p.m. PT. All four games will be played at Phil Swimley Field at Dobbins Stadium and live stats will be available by visiting UCDStats.com.
 
UVU will enter the series with a 1-5 record and this weekend's series will mark the Wolverines' second trip to California on the young season. After opening the season with three games at Fresno State, Utah Valley then traveled across the country last weekend for just its second series against an SEC opponent in program history. The Wolverines nearly knocked off South Carolina in last Saturday's contest, but ultimately dropped that game, 6-5, on its way to getting swept by the Gamecocks. 
 
After dropping the opener 15-3, the Wolverines then responded in game two at Carolina behind a career-high 11-strikeout performance over seven innings from junior right-hander Paxton Schultz. Schultz's strong outing gave UVU a chance in contest, as it trailed just 4-2 late in the ballgame and the team rallied behind a two-run double from Michael Beltran in the top of the ninth to tie it along with the go-ahead RBI double from Alexander Marco to take a 5-4 lead. With the Gamecocks down to their last strike and UVU still holding to a 5-4 advantage, South Carolina's Noah Campbell managed to belt out a two-run walk-off homer to right to propel USC to the 6-5 victory. The Gamecocks then managed to sweep the series behind a 10-3 win in game three.
 
Schultz led the Wolverines on the mound versus South Carolina by striking out 11 and not issuing a walk over 7.0 impressive innings of work. The right-hander also scattered seven hits and allowed just three earned runs in his most recent outing. Senior outfielder Beltran led the way for UVU at the plate by batting .417 (5-for-12) with a double, two triples and two RBIs. Junior outfielder Marco too had a strong weekend by hitting .385 (5-for-13) with three doubles, an RBI and three runs scored. Issuing 
 
On the season, Beltran leads UVU with a .381 average and a trio of extra-base hit while Marco is right behind him with a .348 clip, a homer, three doubles, four RBIs and four runs scored. Marco also holds a team-best six-game hitting streak, as he's recorded a hit so far in each and every game in a UVU uniform. Schultz leads the Wolverines on the mound with a 3.86 ERA, 18 strikeouts, just two walks issued and a 0-0 record over 14.0 innings of work. 
 
Senior right-hander Jake Carr is scheduled to start Friday's series opener for the Wolverines, while Schultz is slated to start Saturday's first game of the twin bill, a to-be-announced pitcher will then start Saturday's second game of the twin bill, and senior righty Walker Ramsey is scheduled to start in the finale on Sunday.
 
ABOUT UC DAVIS
The Aggies are 3-4 on the season and recently had their midweek game against WAC rival Sacramento State rained out earlier this week. UC Davis opened the season by sweeping three games from fellow WAC affiliate Northern Colorado at home before dropping a midweek game to Nevada by a run followed by getting swept at Arizona State last weekend. UCD was picked to finish eighth in the Big West this season after going 18-35 a year ago and 9-15 in conference action.
 
Garret Kelly leads UCD on the season with an even .400 batting average, a team-high seven RBIs and a team-best five stolen bases. Joseph Myers is next with a .333 clip, while Caleb Van Blake leads the team in home runs with two. Friday's scheduled starter Brett Erwin leads the Aggies' pitching staff with a 1-0 record and a 1.50 ERA in 12.0 innings of work. Erwin holds a team-high eight strikeouts on the season while walking just three. 
 
UVU AND UCD ALL-TIME
Friday's series opener will mark the 11th all-time meeting between UVU and UCD. The Aggies will enter play holding to a 7-3 series advantage after taking two of three from Utah Valley in the last series in 2017 in Davis, California. The Aggies also hold a 6-2 all-time mark against UVU at home. 
 
ON DECK FOR UTAH VALLEY
Following the series, UVU will return to the state of Utah to take on neighboring rival BYU in a UCCU Crosstown Clash on Tuesday, March 5 at Miller Park in Provo. The Wolverines will then come home to open a 10-game homestand against Saint Mary's at UCCU Ballpark next weekend (March 8-10).