SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Valley University fell 16-9 to Utah on Tuesday night at Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark. UVU (15-25) was led by Derek Houston's 3-for-5 performance at the plate, as the Wolverines hit multiple home runs, including Hunter Katschke's 17th of the season. Utah (21-15) was paced by Jake Long and Zakye Hawkins, who each recorded three RBIs.
 
Utah Valley tagged Utah starter Sammy Cova for five hits and four runs in the top of the first inning, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Chipper Beck and Kaden Carpenter to give UVU a 2-0 lead. Both hitters worked 3-1 counts before homering to left field. The inning continued when Mason Strong singled and advanced to third on Houston's double. Cooper Brass and Joseph Barnhardt each drove in runs, with Brass beating out an infield single and Barnhardt reaching on an error.
 
The Utes took the lead with six runs in the second inning and three in the third to move ahead 9-4. Utah Valley responded in the top of the fourth, beginning with a double from DJ Massey, who went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs while reaching base four times for UVU. Beck drew a walk and later stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Carpenter narrowly missed his second home run of the night, but his sacrifice fly brought in a run to cut the deficit to 9-5.
 
Carter Seely recorded a career-best three innings pitched, allowing one hit and striking out one. He struck out Cal Miller, the first batter he faced, and did not allow a hit until a sixth-inning single by Cameron Gurney.
 
The Wolverines scored two runs in the top of the sixth on a two-run home run from Katschke, his 17th of the season. He is now one shy of the program's single-season record of 18, set by Goose Kallunki, Daniel Dickinson and Burke Camper.
 
UVU threatened again in the seventh, loading the bases with no outs against Ute reliever Landon Salvesen, prompting a pitching change. Easton Jones entered and recorded the first two outs before Massey singled through the left side to tie the game at 9-9. Massey advanced into scoring position, but Katschke grounded out to end the inning.
 
The Utes responded with a six-run seventh inning to take a 15-9 lead, then added one more run to secure a 16-9 victory and the season series.
 
UP NEXT
Utah Valley returns to WAC play this weekend at Tarleton State. The three-game series begins Friday with a 5 p.m. MT first pitch in Stephenville on WAC International.