OREM, Utah – Utah Valley baseball defeated New Mexico State 16-6 on Saturday afternoon at UCCU Ballpark. UVU (27-21, 13-11) used a seven-run seventh inning to defeat NMSU (12-34, 9-20) by the mercy rule for the second consecutive game.
Cole Jordan and
Garrett Broussard each homered with three RBIs in the win for UVU.
Calyn Halvorson had three RBIs of his own in the win.
The Wolverines have scored 41 runs in the series, which is the most in a WAC series since UVU joined the WAC in 2014
"Today was another good effort all around. If we can continue to play sound baseball as we have for the majority of the season, this team has a chance to be special," said UVU head coach
Eddie Smith.
UVU led 9-6, heading to the bottom of the seventh, and took advantage of costly NMSU mistakes.
Patrick Mills walked and later scored on a ground ball that was misplayed by the defense, and they loaded the bases after
Trey Cutchen reached on a bunt single. The Wolverines took advantage, scoring on a fielder's choice from Broussard to make it 11-6 UVU.
Matthew Schwarz added a sac fly. Later in the inning, Jordan drew a bases-loaded walk to score one before Mills and Camper were hit with pitches to bring home two more and make it 15-6. Halvorson ended the game on a single through the right side to make it 16-6.
Camper and Mills reached base before scoring on a triple by Halvorson to go up 2-0. He scored after
Trey Cutchen got into a rundown and allowed enough time for Halvorson to score.
The Aggies responded with a pair of runs in the top of the second on the first of two homers from Preston Godfrey to make it a one-run game. UVU's Jordan hit his ninth dinger of the season to give the Wolverines some breathing room and a 4-2 lead.
NMSU answered right back, scoring a pair of runs to tie the game at 4-4. The tie game did not last long as UVU regained the lead in the fourth after Broussard and Schwarz singled.
Brandon Luna gave the Wolverines a 5-4 lead on a single.
Daniel Dickinson broke the game open with a ground-rule double, putting UVU in front 6-4. Jordan added a sacrifice fly to finish the scoring to go up 7-4.
Mitch Mueller entered the game for the bullpen and quieted the NMSU bats, holding them to two runs over the final three innings to earn his second win of the year and punching out five Aggies.
Nick Sims got his first start of the season and went four innings; he did not factor in the decision.
Utah Valley and New Mexico State will wrap up the series tomorrow at 11:05 a.m. MT. The ceremony to honor four seniors and two support staff will take place about ten minutes following the conclusion of the game. UVU will have its final home regular season contest on May 16, when they host Utah. The Wolverines beat the Utes 6-5 on Apr. 11 in Orem. They will look to win the season series.
