MORAGA, Calif. – Saint Mary's College defeated Utah Valley 11-6 Friday afternoon at Louis Guisto Field. SMC (3-1) hit three home runs on the day and were able to hold a late UVU (2-3) rally in the opening game of the four-game series. Cole Jordan finished 2-for-2 on the day with a pair of walks to reach base in all four at-bats.
 
Saint Mary's scored a combined five runs through the first couple of innings to back starting pitcher Derik Eaquinto. Jordan recorded his first hit in the second inning on a single to center field before being stranded.
 
The Wolverines got on the board in the top of the fourth after Daniel Dickinson doubled and Calyn Halvorson brought him home with a two-out double to cut into the Gaels lead at 5-1. SMC pulled away by scoring two runs in the fifth, three in the sixth, and one in the seventh to go up 11-1.
 
Utah Valley looked to rally in the ninth inning as Burke Camper walked and Nate Bach singled to put two runners on base. They loaded bases following a walk to Lucas Piper and scored their first of five runs in the inning when Luke Iverson was hit by a pitch. Jordan had his fourth hit with an RBI single to make it 11-3. In his first career at-bat, Carsen Mann brought in a run on a groundout, and a two-run single from Isaac Lovings made it 11-6. A pair of outs recorded by Ryan Wiltse ended the threat.
 
Eaquinto (1-0) earned the win for SMC, while Braden Boisvert (0-1) was tagged with the loss. Luke Kimmel and Remington Robbins made their UVU debuts by throwing one inning each.
 
Utah Valley and Saint Mary's will play a doubleheader tomorrow starting at Noon / 11:00 a.m. PT, with the second game starting around 40 minutes after game one. The series concludes on Sunday, Feb. 25, with a 2:00 p.m. MT / 1:00 p.m. PT start. The home opener is scheduled for Friday, Mar. 1 at 4:05 p.m. MT against Portland.