OREM, Utah—Timely hitting and defense proved to be the difference for Utah Valley as the Wolverines defeated CSU Bakersfield 7-4 Friday night at Brent Brown Ballpark.

The Roadrunners took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. With one out, Drew Seelman tripled and came home on a Dustin Frailey grounder to short. The advantage was short lived as Greyson Bogden hit a two-run home run to left center in the bottom of the first.

Chance Gusbeth and Ryan Grotjohn both worked out walks off of UVU starter Patrick Wolfe in the second. With one out Junior Felix hit a three run home run to return the lead back to the 'Runners 4-2. The Wolverines responded with a Spencer Gothberg home run to lead off the Utah Valley second.

With two outs in the bottom of the third, Bogden doubled to left. CSUB starter Isaiah Moten issued a walk to Mark Krueger. Craig Brinkerhoff singled to left to plate Bogden and tie the game. Krueger advanced to third as Bogden took second on the throw. Gothberg walked to load the bases. Jake Atkinson's liner to right proved to be the final out.

UVU's second double play of the night in the fourth cut down a CSUB threat. Justin Erlandson led off the Wolverine fourth with a double to left off of Garrett Nimmo who relieved Moten to start the inning. Jordan Schlehuber grounded out to short, but the play allowed Erlandson to move to third. The Roadrunners brought the infield in against Trevor Howell. Howell lined a shot right at Mahlik Jones at short for the second out. Zac Willis walked on four pitches to bring up Bogden. Bogden singled to center to score Erlandson. Krueger doubled in Willis as Bogden scored on a CSUB throwing error that also allowed Krueger move up a base. Brinkerhoff walked before Gothberg popped out to second to conclude the frame.

Utah Valley's second pitcher of the game, Jake Mayer walked Seelman and Frailey to open the CSUB fifth. Max Carter singled to load the bases for his third hit of the night. Mayer struck out Joey Sanchez on three pitches. Gusbeth grounded into a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

Mayer retired eight in a row before walking pinch hitter Nick Vehlewald with one out in the top of the eighth. Evan Fresquez relieved Mayer to face Gusbeth and got the fourth UVU double play of the night, 6-4-3, to retire the Roadrunners.

CSUB mounted one last charge as Ryan Grotjohn singled with one out in the top of the ninth. Felix struck out. Brinkerhoff made a diving catch of a Jones shot to left to end the game.  

Bogden was a triple shy of the cycle as he went 3-for-3 with a walk, three runs scored, and three RBI's. Carter would go 3-for-4 at the CSUB plate.  The Roadrunners were without the services of second baseman David Metzgar who was forced to miss the game to do an undisclosed injury. Metzgar had a streak of 120 consecutive starts broken

CSUB (9-31, 4-11 WAC) and Utah Valley (22-19, 8-8 WAC) continue their Saturday at 6 p.m. (MDT).

The Roadrunners return home May 13 against Chicago State which will begin a seven game home stand that concludes the regular season. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Tickets are available through e CSUB Ticket Office at (661) 654-BLUE or tickets@csub.edu, or online at Vallitix.com.

~www.GoRunners.com~