OREM, Utah – Utah Valley had the tying and winning runs in scoring position on Friday night in a 7-6 loss to Cal State San Bernardino at UCCU Ballpark. Garrett Luna recorded three RBIs for CSUSB (15-12), including a ninth-inning, two-run homer that proved to be the difference. Chipper Beck was one of three Wolverines (10-14) to record two hits, including a two-run, ninth-inning single to put the winning run in scoring position. Mason Hamlin and Brody Block each reached base three times in the game. 
 
The Coyotes struck first in the second inning when Luna tripled in the game's first run before scoring on a groundout to put CSUSB up 2-0. Bradley Gilbert made his first start for the Wolverines and tossed four innings, allowing just one hit and adding two strikeouts.
 
Jayden Smith singled through the right side in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the deficit to 4-1 on a ball that scored Cooper Brass, who finished with his second consecutive multi-hit game of the season. He reached on an infield single and advanced on a wild pitch before hustling home on the Smith single.
 
Utah Valley was looking for a big inning in the fifth and loaded the bases after DJ Massey was hit by a pitch and Kaden Carpenter was intentionally walked, but the CSUSB pitching staff came up with a pair of strikeouts to keep the game at 4-1.
 
In the seventh inning, Utah Valley struck again, starting with Massey being hit by a pitch for the second time in the game. He stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. Hunter Katschke singled to cut the deficit to 5-2, extending his hitting streak to 11 consecutive games. He was back in the leadoff spot for the Wolverines.
 
The Wolverines looked to rally in the late innings and quickly had their first hitter of the inning in scoring position after Block worked a five-pitch walk and advanced to second on a balk. The Coyotes used three mound visits over the next two hitters before Brass doubled down the left-field line to make it 5-3. CSUSB turned to Jesse Alfaro, who got the final two big outs to keep the tying run at the plate.
 
CSUSB added two insurance runs in the ninth inning, and the Wolverines got one run back after a one-out double by Carpenter, who lined a ball over the right fielder's head. He scored when Mason Strong dropped a single down the right-field line just out of the reach of the first baseman to make it 7-4. They later loaded the bases after walks to Hamlin and Block with one out. It became a one-run game after Beck singled through the middle to score two runs and make it 7-6. Brass worked a walk to reload the bases with less than two outs, but Alfaro recorded a strikeout and a groundout to end the game.
 
UP NEXT
Utah Valley and Cal State San Bernardino will play the second game of the weekend set Saturday, with first pitch scheduled for 3:05 p.m. MT. Fans can watch on ESPN+ and listen on 103.9 and 98.3 ESPN The Fan.