BAKERSFIELD, Calif. – With Utah Valley holding to a 6-4 lead in the ninth, CSU Bakersfield got a game-tying home run from Jake Ortega followed by a two-out walk-off home run from Damian Henderson to propel CSUB to a 9-6 WAC victory over UVU on Saturday night at Hardt Field.
 
The Wolverines (11-31, 7-10 WAC) looked primed to clinch the series by holding to the two-run cushion entering last of the ninth, but the Roadrunners (18-27, 6-11) bats responded with the two clutch round trippers to earn the walk-off victory and force the series rubber match on Sunday. 
 
With CSUB holding to a 1-0 lead in the third, Utah Valley managed to even the score thanks to an RBI double from Trevor Howell to drive in Kody Hall and tie the contest at 1-1. The 'Runners responded with a run of their own in the bottom of the frame to regain a 2-1 lead.
 
In the fourth, Kade Poulsen tripled down the rightfield line and later came around to score on an RBI single from Drew Sims to again deadlock the score at 2-2.
 
Bakersfield then got an unearned run in the fifth to take a 3-2 advantage, before UVU countered with a three-run sixth to take a 5-3 lead. Following an error and a Sims single, Hall then drove in Poulsen with an RBI single tie it at 3-3. With the bases full and two out later in the frame, CSUB committed its second defensive miscue of the inning to allow both Sims and Hall to come home and give the Wolverines the two-run advantage. 
 
The 'Runners then responded with a run in the seventh to make it a one-run deficit at 5-4, but UVU got a run back in the eighth to extend its lead to 6-4. With the bases loaded and one away, Ryan Eastburn drove in Sims with a deep sacrifice fly to center to give the Wolverines a little insurance. 
 
With CSUB threatening with runners on the corners and one out in the bottom of the eighth, Sims managed to cut down a stolen base attempt at second for the second out of the inning and UVU closer Jesse Schmit promptly followed by striking out Eric Charles to escape the jam.
 
Bakersfield then got the leadoff man aboard in the last of the ninth and Ortega followed with a two-run blast to right to tie the game at 6-6. With two outs, two on and CSUB down to its final strike, Henderson then managed to end it with a three-run bomb down the righthfield line to set up Sunday's rubber match.
 
Paxton Schultz had another strong outing for the Wolverines in the ballgame, as he went 7.1 innings and allowed just three earned runs while scattering nine hits and striking out two. He was on-line to earn the win before CSUB's ninth-inning heroics. 
 
CSU Bakersfield's Kevin Altamirano (1-0) earned the win in relief while UVU's Schmit (4-6) was tagged with the loss.
 
Howell, Sims and Hall all recorded two hits apiece and all drove in runs on the day for the Wolverines. Sims fronted the group by going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, a walk and an RBI. Sims, Hall and Poulsen all also scored twice. Ortega, Henderson and Jesse Rowley all had three hits and drove in multiple runs for the 'Runners.
 
The Wolverines and 'Runners will close the series on Sunday at 1 p.m. MT/noon PT at Hardt Field. Following the contest, UVU will next head to Riverside, California, to face new WAC foe California Baptist next weekend (May 3-5).