OREM, Utah – Utah Valley defeated New Mexico State 5-4 on Sunday afternoon at UCCU Ballpark. UVU (28-21, 14-11) earns their first sweep since 2017 in the victory. Daniel Dickinson finished 3-for-3 and scored the game-winning run on a NM State (12-35, 9-21) wild pitch. Senior Patrick Mills and Junior Burke Camper had the other two hits in the win.
 
The sweep is the first since Mar. 24-26, 2017, when UVU swept UT Rio Grande Valley in Orem.
 
"That was a great win. We didn't play our best, but great teams find ways to win, and we are starting to find ways to win those games," said UVU head coach Eddie Smith.
 
The Aggies and Wolverines exchanged runs in the first inning as NM State took an early lead on a sacrifice fly. Dickinson led off the first with his first of three hits with a single to center. After taking second on a wild pitch, he scored on a ground ball up the middle by Mills.
 
UVU starter Casey Anderson recorded two strikeouts in the second and third innings to give the Wolverines an opportunity to take their first lead. Dickinson singled through the left side before Mills reached on a fielding error that moved runners to the corners. Mills picked up his eighth stolen base of the year and put a pair of runners in scoring position. Camper provided the big knock with a single to left to allow both runners to score and put UVU in front 3-1.
 
The Aggies plated a pair of runs in the fifth inning to even the score. The tied ballgame didn't last long as Dickinson came through with his ninth homer of the year to give UVU a narrow 4-3 lead.
 
New Mexico State looked to regain the lead as they loaded the bases against veteran UVU reliever Devin Smith, who retired Kevin Jimenez with a strikeout. Today marked the 53^rd career appearance for Smith and places him 14^th all-time in appearances with Brian Whatcott.
 
NMSU tied the game at 4-4 in the seventh inning after scoring a run on a liner before the defense took over the eighth. The leadoff hitter reached on a single before advancing on a wild pitch. Matthew Schwarz fielded a ground ball and quickly went to third to retire the lead runner. The next batter was struck out, and the runner at first was thrown out trying to steal second.
 
The defensive play and strong outing from Smith set the stage for UVU to take the lead in the eighth. Dickinson walked to open the inning and stole second base. He later moved to third on a fly ball and scored on a wild pitch to give UVU the 5-4 win.
 
Smith (3-1) earned the victory going 4.0 innings, allowing two hits and one run with six strikeouts. Anderson went 5.0 innings on five hits and nine strikeouts. He moved into eight all-time in season strikeouts with 79.  
 
UVU stays at home for an in-state matchup with Utah on May 16 at 6:05 p.m. MT. The regular season will conclude with a three-game series against UT-Arlington from May 17-19.