ST. GEORGE, Utah – Utah Valley University defeated Dixie State University, 8-3, in the series finale of the Old Hammer Rivalry at Bruce Hurst Field in St. George on Sunday afternoon. 
 
Utah Valley (3-8, 1-2 WAC) scored a four-run fourth inning before Dixie State (6-5, 2-1 WAC) came within one in the middle innings. UVU added late insurance runs to put the game out of reach. 
 
"The guys did a great job of executing today. It was the best game we played all year in terms of being fundamental. Any time you can win on the road it is a great accomplishment," UVU head coach Eddie Smith said.
 
Garrett Broussard led off the fourth with a walk and moved to second on a base hit from Mick Madsen. Drew Sims bunted to third, and the throw to first went down the line, scoring Broussard. Trey Cutchen drove home Sims with a base hit to right field and later scored on a base hit through the left side by Connor Hall. The Wolverines held a 4-0 lead heading to the home half of the fourth. 
 
DSU responded with three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning. The UVU relievers held Dixie State scoreless from there, with Nick Sims (1-0) going 2.2 innings allowing only one hit to get his first win of the year. Josh Brown came in for the final 3.0 innings giving up one hit and three punchouts to pick up his first save of the season. Jimmy Borzone (0-1) took the loss for Dixie State, allowing seven hits and four earned runs. 
 
UVU added a couple of late insurance runs in the eighth as Brody Ponti hit into a fielder's choice, with Hall being retired at second and Mitch Moralez scoring on the play. The ball was mishandled on the double play turn and skipped away into the outfield grass. Cutchen alertly ran home from third to score, making the UVU lead 6-3. 
 
Broussard hit his first home run of the year to left-center in the ninth, making it 7-3. Drew Sims reached after being hit by a pitch and moved to third later in the inning. Drew Sims scored on a passed ball, giving UVU an 8-3 edge. 
 
The Wolverines picked up the first WAC win of the year and were led offensively by Cutchen, Broussard, Moralez, and Kyle Coburn, who all had multiple hits in the contest. Mason Gray got the start for the Wolverines and went 3.2 innings giving up four hits with three strikeouts. As a team, UVU scored 19 runs in the series and banged out 30 hits over three games. 
 
UVU will now head south to Las Vegas for a two-game midweek series starting Monday, March 7 with a 7 p.m. MT/ 6 p.m. PT start against UNLV. The two teams will then close the midweek set on Tuesday, March 8 at 3 p.m. MT/2 p.m. PT. The home-opening series is scheduled for March 11-13, with game one scheduled for a 6:05 first pitch against California Baptist on Friday night. UVU will later host Dixie State April 14-16 at UCCU Ballpark.