MESA, Ariz. – Mason Strong launched a two-run homer in the top of the ninth inning on Saturday afternoon to lift Utah Valley to the WAC Championship with an 11-9 win over Abilene Christian. Strong finished 4-for-5 with two homers, four runs scored, and three RBIs while being named the Tournament's Most Outstanding Player.
It will be Utah Valley's second NCAA Tournament appearance. The team won the 2016 WAC Tournament and finished 0-2 in the Baton Rouge Regional.
"This group is special. From the moment we got together last August to now, it has been an absolute pleasure to be with them. I'm thrilled that I get to spend at least one more week with them," said UVU head coach
Nate Rasmussen.
The Wolverines trailed 2-0 in the second inning when
Mason Strong led off with a single through the right side. He moved into scoring position when he swiped second base before coming around to score on an RBI double from
Nate Bach to make it 2-1.
The Wildcats answered right back with a run in the second and third innings to go up 4-1 heading to the top of the fourth inning.
Aaron Rice made the start for Utah Valley and tossed 1 1/3 innings before giving way to
Carter Krosky, who threw 1 2/3 innings, allowing one hit on six batters faced.
Mason Strong singled to third base with one out in the fourth inning to ignite a five-run rally by the Wolverines.
Dominic Longo II launched a 1-1 pitch over the left field wall for a two-run shot to cut the ACU lead to 4-3.
The inning continued with Bach sending a ball down the right field line that bounced off the warning track and hit the foul pole for a ground rule double. He moved up 90 feet on a ground ball by
Brody Block before scoring a wild pitch to tie the game up at 4-4. The inning was not over as
CJ Colyer lined a double just off the top of the wall for the third extra base hit. They added a fourth on a two-run homer, their second of the inning, this time coming from
Jimmy De Anda to give UVU their first lead at 6-4.
The Wolverines continued to add on and pull away from the Wildcats after Block was walked on four pitches in the sixth inning, and a pitch hit Colyer to put two runners on base. Iverson lined a single into right field to score a run and make it 7-4. With runners on the corners, UVU pulled off a double steal with Colyer beating the throw home to extend the lead to 8-4.
In the top of the seventh inning, Strong homered to left center field to make it 9-5 on a ball to the left field. ACU's Grant Watkins launched his second homer of the game to cut the UVU lead to 9-8 before
Cooper Littledike entered the game and got Maddox Miese to fly out to the warning track to keep the game tied.
The Wildcats answered in the eighth inning after a walk to All-WAC selection Diego Cardenas put the tying run on base. They tied it when pinch-runner Holden Rook scored on a sac fly. The Wolverines, like they have in a couple of other games, continued to press on and rally and won it in the ninth inning.
Mapleton, Utah native Littledike (2-1) finished with 2 1/3 innings pitched, allowing one hit and one run.
The Wolverines are the first team to go 4-0 in the WAC Tournament since the 2022 season, and they finish the week in Mesa clubbing .338 while outscoring conference foes 40-18. Strong had an outstanding tournament, finishing with a .550 average with two homers, seven RBIs, and three stolen bases.
2025 University Credit Union WAC Baseball All-Tournament Team
Xavier Melendez, UT Arlington
Chandler Benson, Abilene Christian
Diego Cardenas, Abilene Christian
Zandt Payne, Abilene Christian
Dominick Reid, Abilene Christian
Grant Watkins, Abilene Christian
CJ Colyer, Utah Valley
Colton Kennedy, Utah Valley
Corbin Kirk, Utah Valley
Dominic Longo II, Utah Valley
Jayden Smith, Utah Valley
Mason Strong, Utah Valley (Most Outstanding Player)
UP NEXT
The Wolverines will find out their regional site and opponents on Monday, May 26, with the NCAA Tournament selection show, which is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. MT on ESPN+. The regional hosts will be announced on social media on Sunday, May 25.
