OREM, Utah – Utah Valley baseball is set to close out the 2026 season this weekend with a three-game series against UT Arlington at UCCU Ballpark. The series will begin Thursday, May 14, with a 6:05 p.m. MT start before moving to a 5:05 p.m. MT first pitch on Friday and a 12:05 p.m. matinee on Saturday.
After Saturday's game, UVU will honor 18 seniors who are playing their final game at Utah Valley:
Jimmy De Anda,
Mason Strong,
Kaden Carpenter,
Hunter Katschke,
Chipper Beck,
Brody Block,
Colton Kennedy,
Mason Hamlin,
Aaron Rice,
Joseph Barnhardt,
Jacob Beltran,
George Albrecht,
Ray Hernandez,
Cooper Littledike,
Jayden Smith,
DJ Massey and
Chance Wallace.
BROADCAST INFO
This weekend's series will air on ESPN+ and on 103.9 and 98.3 ESPN The Fan. Fans can follow along with live stats at GoUVU.com/stats.
LAST TIME OUT
Katschke hit his team-high 22nd homer of the year and finished 3-for-4 at the plate Tuesday night in Provo for the Wolverines. Carpenter also homered early in the contest to give UVU an early lead, while six different hitters recorded a hit in the game. Rice tossed 2 1/3 innings of relief, allowing two runs and striking out two.
Cohen Baack also pitched well, throwing two scoreless innings.
SCOUTING UT ARLINGTON
The Mavericks enter this weekend's series 18-28 overall and 7-8 in the WAC. They took two of three from Utah Tech last weekend in Texas to clinch the final spot in next weekend's WAC Tournament. Xavier Melendez is hitting .353 with five home runs and 36 RBIs to lead the Mavs offensively. Two-way player Calyon Dygert, who is 5-4 on the mound with a 3.48 ERA, can also swing the bat for UTA.
UT Arlington's Marek Sears has been tough out of the bullpen, making 22 appearances with a 2.79 ERA, while Melville Hayes has stepped into the closer role with five saves and a 3.00 ERA.
END OF AN ERA
Saturday's game will mark the final contest for Utah Valley in the WAC era. During their 13 seasons in the Western Athletic Conference, the Wolverines have played for the WAC title four times, winning it in both 2016 and 2025. A total of 22 student-athletes have earned All-WAC honors, and numerous student-athletes have earned Academic All-WAC recognition.
UP NEXT
This series marks the end of the 2026 season for the Wolverines and their final season in the Western Athletic Conference before officially joining the Big West Conference on July 1, 2026.
