Recap: Resilient @NCBearsBaseball Wins WAC Opener over Utah Valley

Friday, March 23

Orem, Utah

6:00 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

15-8, 1-0

Utah Valley University

7-12, 0-1

Northern Colorado

Utah Valley

3/23/2018 10:06:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

Northern Colorado baseball was resilient on Friday night in its win over Utah Valley 8-4.

By: By Ryan Pfeifer, UNCBears.com

OREM, Utah – Northern Colorado baseball was a resilient group on Friday night, earning the 8-4 comeback win over Utah Valley. The Bears and Wolverines were each playing their WAC play openers on Friday.

How it Happened
Utah Valley's bats were ready to go in what was their home-opener, scoring a pair of runs in the opening frame. UVU's first batters reach safely leading to those two runs scored.

The quick scoring from Utah Valley did not deter the Bears as they responded in the top half of the third. Evan Johnson and Tyler Yamaguchi started the UNC rally with a single and double, respectively. Northern Colorado scored its first run of the game on a Brett Minnick single through the right side scoring Johnson and Yamaguchi. The team then earned its first lead of the game when Austin Miller singled to left center scoring Minnick. UNC's lead did not last long as UVU evened the game in the bottom half of the inning.

The Wolverines reclaimed the lead in the third by placing runners on the corners and chasing Northern Colorado's starter Isaac Bracken. UVU ended up loading the bases in the inning, but only scored one run as Justin Mulvaney helped get the team out of the jam.

Northern Colorado trailed by the 4-3 score until the sixth inning when they took the lead for good. One of three Utah Valley fielding errors in the game started UNC's four-run rally, allowing Evan Johnson to reach base. Johnson scored on a well-executed bunt from Alex Kiel, sliding in under the tag. UNC proceeded to load the bases in the inning scoring Kiel on a wild pitch. Miller brought home two more runs with a single to right.

Matt Burkart added an insurance run in the top of the ninth with a two-out solo home run. After allowing the first two Utah Valley batters to reach base, Connor Leedholm struck out the next three batters to end the game.

Coach Iwa's Take
"It was a good opening WAC game for the team. I am proud of how we fought back from being down two runs early. Justin Mulvaney was the hero tonight, changing the momentum to our side. Our guys hit well together and put us a big four-run inning being the difference in the game. We have to come back out tomorrow and win the series in game one of the doubleheader and go from there."

Game Changer
Utah Valley's offense was in a rhythm early on, but once senior Justin Mulvaney stepped on the mound their bats quieted quickly. He went on to earn the win as he pitched four strong innings allowing no runs on one hit, striking out a pair and walking one. With Mulvaney silencing the Wolverine bats he gave his offense an opportunity to get going.

Stat to Know
Northern Colorado's pitching did a good job of working out of jams all game long. The Bears forced Utah Valley into 11 runners left on base.

Game Notes
- Brett Minnick did a little bit of everything for UNC on Friday. He rose his batting average with a 2-for-3 day at the plate, but also drove in a pair of runs and scored twice.
- Austin Miller is known for setting the table for the Bears, but on Friday he was cleaning it up. Going 3-for-5, Miller recorded a team-best three runs batted in.
- Matt Burkart and Tyler Yagamuchi each had a multi-hit game to join Miller and Minnick.

What's Ahead?
UNC and UVU will close out its three-game series on Saturday with a doubleheader starting at 2:00 pm. The schedule was changed after the weather forecast looks poor on Sunday.

To stay up to date on all things UNC baseball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Twitter @NCBearsBaseball