Box Score STEPHENVILLE, Texas – Tarleton State University defeated Utah Valley University, 12-2, on Friday night in the series opener. UVU (15-26, 1-6) was led by Chipper Beck, who recorded two extra-base hits with a double and a triple for the Wolverines, but was overpowered by the Texans (26-15, 6-4) middle of the order, led by Slade McCloud, who finished 4-for-4 with four RBIs.
 
Utah Valley cut into a 6-0 deficit in the top of the third after Hunter Katschke singled and then hustled home from first base on a double to right-center by Beck to score the Wolverines' first run of the game. The double extended his hitting streak to five consecutive games.
 
Cohen Baack came in out of the bullpen and finished with a new career-high four innings of work, allowing three hits and only one run. In the bottom of the third, Tarleton State looked to add to its lead, but Baack and the UVU defense stepped up. Mason Strong threw out a potential base stealer at third base for the second out. Baack then struck out Kendyl Johnson to end the inning. The freshman from Arizona retired the last four hitters he faced on the day.
 
UVU scored one run in the fourth inning after Brody Block singled to center field and advanced to third on a single from Trenton Rowan. Mason Hamlin recorded an RBI on a single to right field. UVU looked to add more runs but caught some bad luck on a ball hit by DJ Massey, as McCloud fielded it and fired home for the second out.
 
Tarleton State reliever Jackson Elizondo was strong on the mound, allowing only one hit in the game, which was a seventh-inning triple by Beck.
 
UP NEXT
The Wolverines and Texans are set to play the middle game of their three-game series on Saturday with a 2:00 p.m. MT / 3:00 p.m. CT start from Stephenville.