LONGVIEW, Wash. – Utah Valley University defeated Lower Columbia College 5-2 on Monday night at David Story Field in Longview, Washington. 
 
The Wolverines used a steady offensive attack as four players posted two-hit games along with solid outings from the pitching staff to limit the JUCO Red Devils' threats in the late innings. 
 
The victory marked the return for UVU head coach Eddie Smith, who previously led Lower Columbia for four seasons, winning two NWAC championships and a trio of Region titles. Current UVU assistant Kade Kryzsko and student manager Michael Forgione also made the return to Story Field on Monday, as they duo played for Smith at LCC. 
 
"It was great to be back at Lower Columbia. The place will always hold a special place in my heart," Smith said. "It was great competition tonight, and we played hard from the first to the last pitch."
 
Lower Columbia, who is currently in first place in the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC), took the lead with two runs in the third inning on a base hit from Kyle Parkman and a groundout later in the inning from Eric Luchies. The Red Devils held the 2-0 lead until the top of the fourth when the Wolverines responded. 
 
Brandon Luna got UVU back within one with a solo shot to right field to make it 2-1. The Wolverines scored the tying run on a double steal when Connor Hall broke for second and was caught in a rundown, and Drew Sims broke for the plate and scored when the throw went past the LCC catcher. 
 
The game remained tied through the middle innings, with pitchers from both teams shining. Bobby Voortmeyer came in to throw 3.0 shutout innings in which he allowed just one hit to keep Lower Columbia off the board. UVU took the lead in the fifth on another double steal, as Cole Jordan took second and Paul Vossen home to give UVU a 3-2 advantage.  
 
In the seventh, Spencer Olsen reached on a single and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt from Vossen. Olsen scored a couple of batters later on a Luna RBI single to put UVU in front for good. 
 
LCC looked to tie the game in the bottom of the seventh. Blake Zeleny struck out the first two hitters of the inning before the Red Devils loaded the bases, and Alex Karns struck out Justin Stransky to end the threat. 
 
Utah Valley looked to add to the lead in the eighth when Trey Cutchen was on base after hitting into a fielder's choice. Mick Madsen reached on an error. The Wolverines took advantage of the error when Olsen delivered a base hit to left to score Cutchen, giving UVU some insurance with a 5-2 lead. 
 
Alex Karns retired Lower Columbia with a perfect frame in the ninth to secure the UVU victory.
 
Voortmeyer earned the win for Utah Valley with 3.0 strong innings in relief from UVU starter Cameron Scudder, who went the first 3.0 innings, allowing four hits and one strikeout. Karns went the final 2.1 innings allowing two hits and no runs. The Wolverine staff combined for 10 strikeouts on the night. Starter Brayden Wells took the loss for LCC. 
 
Utah Valley had two-hit games from Cutchen, Olsen, Luna, and Drew Sims. Luna led the way by going 2-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs. LCC was led offensively by Matthew Schwartz, who was 2-for-5, and Parkman, who was 2-for-4. 
 
Monday's contest marked UVU's fourth game in as many days and its fourth contest of a current nine-game road trip. 
 
The Wolverines return to NCAA Division I play on Wednesday when they meet the University of Portland at Joe Etzel Field in Portland, Oregon, at 3:00 p.m. MT/2:00 p.m PT. The road trip continues on Friday, May 13 with a 7:00 p.m. MT/ 6:00 p.m. start in the opener of a three game set at WAC rival Sacramento State.