RIVERSIDE, Calif. – Utah Valley swept a Sunday doubleheader against UC Riverside. UVU (5-3) won the opener 5-0 in a nine-inning contest before winning 6-2 in the second game to secure the series win over UCR (2-5).
 
"It was a total team effort today. We have focused a lot on energy and competing, and we elevated our team standards in those areas today," said UVU head coach Eddie Smith.
 
GAME ONE
 
The Wolverines struck early after a one-out walk to Calyn Halvorson, with a two-run homer from Patrick Mills, his third of the year and second of the series, to take a 2-0 lead. Mitch Mueller worked out of a bases loaded jam in the first with a strikeout and an inning-ending double play.
 
Mueller took a no-hitter into the sixth inning and added nine punchouts in the ballgame. "On the field, it all started on the mound with Mitch Mueller, and the torch got passed to the next arm all day. There were some really good at-bats and solid defense from start to finish," said Smith.
 
UVU added to the lead in the sixth after back-to-back singles from Halvorson and Mills set the table for the Wolverines. Brandon Luna reached on an error that brought in Halvorson, making it 3-0 UVU. Burke Camper put UVU up 4-0 with a single through the left side that scored Mills.
 
The Wolverines scored late on a solo homer from Nate Bach, his second of the year, to put UVU in front 5-0.
 
The UVU bullpen was efficient, with Reece Rodabaugh going 2.0 innings, allowing two hits, with Nick Sims throwing an inning of hitless ball.
 
GAME TWO
 
UCR went up 1-0 in the second inning on an RBI single. UVU jumped right back and scored two in the third after loading the bases from singles by Daniel Dickinson, Cole Jordan, and Trey Cutchen. Halvorson tied the game at 1-1 after hitting into a double play, and Mills gave UVU a 2-1 lead with a single to score Jordan.
 
Matthew Schwarz led off the fourth inning with a walk and stole second base on a strikeout. Schwarz later scored on a single to third base from Garrett Broussard to extend the lead to 3-1 for UVU.
 
The Wolverines used a pair of RBI doubles to go up 5-1. Mills had the first with a double to right center to score Halvorson, and Schwarz added his own double down the left field line to score Mills.
 
The UVU pitching staff was tough on UCR hitters in game two. Jayse Burkett went 4.0 innings spreading out five hits before giving way to the UVU bullpen of Davis Spencer, Devin Smith, and Austin Watson, shutting the door on any potential Highlander comeback.
 
The Wolverines will play a game on Tuesday, Feb. 28, at 4:05 p.m. MT against BYU. It will mark the home opener for Utah Valley before heading to the Beaver State to take on Portland in the Rose City on Mar. 3-5 and Eastern Oregon on Mar. 6.