EDINBURG, Texas – University of Texas Rio Grande Valley won the opening game of a three-game series 7-6 over Utah Valley. UTRGV (17-13, 7-6) scored three runs in the bottom of the ninth for the win. Matthew Schwarz finished 2-for-4 with two RBIs for Utah Valley (17-18, 8-5). Daniel Dickinson stole his 20^th base of the season and is now tied with Nick Connor (2005) for the single season record.
 
The Wolverines scored in the top of the second inning after Nate Bach reached on catcher's interference to start the inning. UVU looked to add to their home run totals with deep-fly balls from Jayden Smith and Garrett Broussard, but the ballpark held the ball for a pair of outs. Utah Valley took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. Later, after Isaac Lovings had singled to put runners on the corners, he got caught in a run-down to allow Bach to score before being tagged out.
 
Utah Valley threatened again in the third after Schwarz doubled and moved to third on a single by Dickinson. The Wolverines brought home the game's second on a high flyball that was caught in shallow centerfield, but Schwarz sprinted home to beat the throw as Dickinson advanced to second.
 
After UTRGV loaded the bases in the fourth inning, Braden Boisvert worked around the jam with a fielder's choice and a groundout. The only run that was pushed across came on a sac fly from Isaac Lopez. The Wolverines quickly responded after Dickinson reached with two outs on a bunt single and advanced to second on a wild pitch before scoring on a single by Burke Camper to make it 3-1 in favor of Utah Valley.
 
In the top of the sixth, Utah Valley looked to pull away, scoring three runs and chasing UTRGV Isiah Campa. Bach singled, and Smith walked to put two runners on base before Broussard's double down the left field line scored one to make it 4-1. Schwarz doubled later in the inning to open the game up to 6-1.
 
The Vaqueros responded, with the first three hitters reaching to start the sixth. Armani Raygoza provided the big hit, a three-run homer to right field to make it 6-4.
 
The Wolverines threatened in the seventh inning against UTRGV reliever Robert Bonilla. Still, Bonilla worked through runners being on the corners in both the seventh and eighth innings and held UVU scoreless.
 
UTRGV rallied in the ninth inning, scoring three runs, including a walk-off sacrifice fly, to win 7-6.
 
Boisvert went seven innings for the Wolverines, allowing only two hits in the game, and had seven of UVU's ten strikeouts in the game. UVU starter Chase Hennessey struck out two hitters in his one inning.
Utah Valley and UTRGV will play the second game of the series tomorrow at 5:30 p.m. MT. The series will wrap up on Sunday with a start at 11:00 a.m. MT. Both games will be on ESPN+.