OREM, Utah — Utah Valley University hosts BYU on Tuesday at 5 p.m. MT in the UCCU Crosstown Clash to begin busy week of action for the Wolverines. UVU will then travel to WAC leader New Mexico State for a three-game series starting Friday afternoon with a 3 p.m. MT doubleheader. Following the series finale on Saturday at 1 p.m. MT, the Wolverines will travel to El Paso for a single game against UTEP on Sunday at 11 a.m. MT.
The Wolverines (19-22, 5-7) won two of three games last week, sweeping a doubleheader at Boise State last Monday before dropping a midweek game at home against Utah State. Against the Broncos, Rien Milliken homered twice and drove in seven runs during the twin bill, including five RBIs in game two. Devyn Cretz pitched in relief in both games and was the winning pitcher in both.
Against the Aggies, the Wolverines trailed 11-2 in the fourth but were able to put a dent in the score with a five-run fourth, which included a three-run home run from Linnah Rebolledo. But Utah State was able to add on two more runs and keep Utah Valley off the scoreboard to avoid being swept in the season series between the teams.
ABOUT THE OPPOSITION
BYU has won 16 straight overall and sits just outside the Top 25 in the latest polls. The Cougars have defeated UVU twice so far this season, winning 7-2 in St. George and most recently, 8-2 two weeks ago in Provo. In that game, BYU hit four home runs en route to the win. Rylee Jensen is batting .409 with 13 home runs and tied with two others with a team-high 31 RBIs.
New Mexico State (24-18, 9-3) has a one game lead on Seattle U with six games remaining in WAC play. The Aggies have won six straight following consecutive conference sweeps against Tarleton and Dixie State. Matalasi Faapito leads the WAC with a .431 average and 13 homer runs, and also has secured 10 wins in the circle.
UTEP began the week at 9-21 overall and 4-10 in Conference USA with a doubleheader on Monday against Louisiana Tech. Coached by former UVU skipper, TJ Hubbard, the Miners are led by Idalis Mendez' .400 batting average while Kasey Flores has hit six home runs and driven in 20.
ON DECK
The series at NM State and single contest at UTEP wrap up the road schedule for the Wolverines in 2021. Utah Valley will host Tarleton on Friday and Saturday, May 7-8 in the final series of the regular season. The WAC Tournament takes place the following week in Seattle.
