OREM, Utah — Utah Valley had the tying run in scoring position in the bottom of the ninth inning but ultimately fell, 6-5, to Utah Tech on Saturday night in the Old Hammer Rivalry. The Wolverines (15-23, 1-4) were led by Chipper Beck, who finished 2-for-4, and received solid bullpen outings from Bradley Gilbert and Maddax Peck. Hudson Manwaring and Petey Soto Jr. each had two RBIs for the Trailblazers (25-14, 4-1).
 
Utah Valley's defense shined early as it turned a pair of inning-ending double plays to back starting pitcher Jacob Heppner. In the bottom of the first, Heppner got Miller Durham to ground out to DJ Massey. In the third inning, he induced Ryan Kroepel into a double play on a nice turn from Mason Hamlin to Massey.
 
The defense turned into offense in the bottom of the third inning, as Utah Valley tagged Utah Tech starter Dakoda West for four runs. Jimmy De Anda singled to start the inning before Hamlin doubled to put runners on second and third with no outs. The Wolverines took a 1-0 lead on a wild pitch. Beck later drove in a run with a single to left to make it 2-0. UVU extended the lead to 3-0 with an RBI single from Strong, and he and Beck executed a double steal to make it 4-0.
 
The Trailblazers answered in the top of the fourth with four runs of their own, highlighted by two-run singles from Manwaring and Soto Jr.
 
The Wolverines threatened again in the fourth inning as West hit Derek Houston and De Anda to start the frame. Hamlin moved both runners into scoring position with one out, but Massey lined out to first base, and Durham quickly threw to third to complete a double play.
 
Gilbert retired the first seven hitters he faced and pitched 3 2/3 innings in relief of Heppner, who also logged 3 2/3 innings. Utah Tech broke the tie in the seventh inning on a double by Kyle McDaniel, who later scored on a single from Durham.
 
Orem native West pitched seven innings, allowing six hits while striking out six. He retired the final nine batters he faced.
 
Peck added 1 2/3 innings of relief, allowing one hit and striking out one.
 
In the bottom of the ninth, Utah Valley mounted a final push. Strong drew a full-count walk against WAC Preseason Player of the Year Ryan Kroepel. Brody Block then doubled off the wall in right-center field, nearly tying the game and putting runners on second and third. UVU cut the deficit to 6-5 on a sacrifice fly from Houston, but Kroepel secured his 10th save with a flyout and a foul out by Hamlin.
 
UP NEXT
The Wolverines and Trailblazers will wrap up the series Sunday with a 1:05 p.m. MT first pitch at UCCU Ballpark. Utah Valley will travel to face Utah on Tuesday before returning to WAC play next weekend at Tarleton State.