RIVERSIDE, Calif. – California Baptist starter Logan Rinehart gave up just two runs on three hits while slugger Ryan Mota drilled out a seventh-inning grand slam en route to leading the Lancers to a 9-2 victory in the series opener over Utah Valley on Friday evening at Totman Stadium in Riverside. 
 
UVU drops to 11-33 overall and 7-12 in WAC play with the setback, while CBU improves to 27-18 and 12-7 in the WAC. 
 
With CBU holding to a 1-0 lead into the fourth, the Lancers then added to their lead with a two-out RBI triple from Damon Keith to take a 2-0 advantage. California Baptist then made it 3-0 in the fifth on a leadoff homer from Luke Navigato. 
 
With just one hit in the contest into the sixth inning, the Wolverine offense then finally got something going after a leadoff sixth-inning double from Jake Berry. Kody Hall then followed by moving Berry to third on a sacrifice bunt and Trevor Howell drove him in with a RBI single to make it a 3-1 game. 
 
After UVU was retired in order in the top of the seventh, the Lancers then loaded the bases with two away in the bottom of the frame. CBU's Mota then delivered the big blow by blasting out a grand slam to deep left to extend California Baptist's lead to 7-1. 
 
The Wolverines then got a run back on an RBI fielder's choice from Howell in the eighth, but the new WAC foe Lancers responded with a pair of insurance runs in the bottom of the frame to put the game away. 
 
CBU starter Rinehart had a stellar outing on the night by going 7.1 innings and giving up just one earned run (two total) on three hits while fanning eight to earn his seventh win of the season. UVU starter Jake Carr too had a strong outing going before giving up a late grand slam with two outs in the seventh to suffer the defeat. 
 
The junior outfielder Berry led the Wolverines offensively with two of the team's three hits including a double in the sixth, while the senior Howell drove home two runs on a 1-for-4 outing. Navigato paced the Lancers by going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a run batted in, while Mota drove home four. 
 
The Utah Valley offense produced just a total of three hits on the day while CBU tallied 13.  
 
The ballgame marked the first in program history between UVU and CBU. 
 
The Wolverines and Lancers will continue the series on Saturday evening with game two. Saturday's second game will take place at 6 p.m. MT/5 p.m. PT at Totman Stadium. The series will then close on Sunday at 1 p.m. MT/noon PT. Both games will be streamed live on the WAC Digital Network.