OREM, Utah — Utah Valley University will face a pair of in-state foes this week beginning Wednesday at BYU in the UCCU Crosstown Clash at 6 p.m. at Gail Miller Field in Provo. The game will air on BYUtv and on the BYUtv app.
The Wolverines (15-19, 3-6) will then host Dixie State for a three-game WAC series in the inaugural Old Hammer Rivalry contests between the former junior college rivals. The teams will play a Friday doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. MT with the finale on Saturday at noon. The games will air live on the WAC Digital Network.
UVU lost a close series against Seattle University last weekend. After the teams split a twin bill on Friday, the Redhawks got a three-run, inside-the-park home run to break a 6-6 tie in the top of the seventh inning on Saturday to take the series.
The Wolverines are at the halfway point of the WAC season with nine games played and nine left on the schedule. All seven teams are separated by just 2.5 games in the standings with no team winning fewer than three or more than five games so far.
Devyn Cretz leads the WAC with a 3.09 ERA and three saves, and also ranks third with nine wins. Rien Milliken leads the Wolverines with a .380 batting average, which is fourth in the conference, with Linnah Rebolledo right behind her at .358 and fifth in the WAC.
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
BYU is 20-13 overall and has won nine straight games heading into a contest on Tuesday against Idaho State. The streak includes a three-game sweep over No. 25 Baylor in Provo. The Cougars have won 12 straight over UVU, including a 7-2 lead earlier this season in St. George at the Dixie State Classic. The teams will also meet on April 27 in Orem. The Cougars are led by Rylee Jensen, who is batting .396 with 11 home runs and 25 RBIs.
Dixie State is 17-19 overall and in second place in the WAC at 5-4 at the midway point of the conference schedule. The series marks the first meetings at the NCAA level between the schools. The two were once junior college rivals prior to UVU's move to NCAA DI, which began in 2003-04. Hannah Eubanks, the WAC Hitter of the Week this week, leads Dixie State and is second in the league with a .414 batting average. Mikaela Thompson is tied for the WAC lead with 11 home runs and leads the conference with 38 RBIs. The Trailblazers have the top offense in the WAC in several categories, including team batting (.303) and runs scored (181).
ON DECK
Utah Valley has a bye in WAC play next week and will travel to Boise State for a doubleheader on Monday April 19 at noon, and hosts Utah State on Wednesday, April 21 at 4 p.m. MT.
