OREM, Utah – Utah Valley baseball returns home to open their 2025 home slate this weekend with UC Davis from the Big West Conference. The series begins on Friday, Feb. 28, at 4:05 p.m. MT before the two teams play a doubleheader on Saturday, Mar. 1, starting at 11:05 a.m. MT. The series concludes on Sunday, Mar. 2, at 12:05 p.m. MT.
 
All four games of the series will air on ESPN+, with Jordan Bianucci on the call with Brice Larson. UVUstats.com will have live stats available for the series.
 
The Wolverines were swept last week at San Jose State but were in every game, losing by a combined seven runs. Landon Frei finished the week 8-for-21 (.381) with a pair of homers, while Luke Iverson also hit two bombs while finishing 7-for-21 (.333). Junior Brody Block had the team's highest average of .455 and finished 5-for-11.
 
Utah Valley's pitching staff continues to shine early in 2025. Junior Colton Kennedy went four innings, which tied a career-high against the Spartans. Cooper Littledike made two appearances during the week, tossing a combined five innings, only allowing three hits, and striking out three. The hurler held opposing hitters to just .176. On Sunday, Wayland Crane set a career-high with seven strikeouts.
 
SCOUTING THE AGGIES
UC Davis enters Orem at 6-2 overall. They were selected seventh in the Big West Coaches Poll. They are hitting .299 this season as a team and have been led by Nick Leehey, who finished with a .379 average with two home runs and eight RBIs. Friday starter Bryan Green has made two starts for the Aggies with a 1-1 record. In his last start, he finished with seven innings against Santa Clara.
 
ALL-TIME SERIES
This will be the first all-time meeting in Orem, and the previous 19 have all been in California, with UC Davis hosting 17 and two being played on a neutral site in Santa Clara. The Aggies won last season's only contest, 8-7 in March. The two teams the last four-game series played to open the 2023 season.
 
GAME ADDED
Utah Valley has added a game with Colorado Mesa on Tuesday, Apr. 1. The Mavericks are a Division II team from Grand Junction and play in the RMAC. In 2025, they are currently 4-6 this season. It will only be the second all-time series between the two programs, with the first being in 2004.
 
STRIKEOUTS PER NINE
Utah Valley is leading the WAC in strikeouts per nine innings this season with an average of 10.5. Crane is leading the way with 12.10 strikeouts per nine innings through his first 9 2/3 innings pitched this season.
 
UP NEXT
Utah Valley will travel next weekend to Northern Colorado for a five-game series against the Bears in Greeley. The series is scheduled to begin on Friday, Mar. 7.