Utah Valley University got a pair of five-run innings in knocking off New Mexico, 12-8, on Monday afternoon at Lobo Field. Sean Moysh hit a three-run home run and drove in four, while Kade Andrus also had four RBIs for the Wolverines (22-24).

UVU scored five in the top of the first and then, leading 7-6 in the seventh, scored five again to take a 12-6 lead. The Lobos (33-16-1), tied for the lead atop the Mountain West Conference, lost for just the seventh time at home against 20 wins.

“This is a good win for us against a great program,” UVU head coach Eric Madsen said. “Obviously getting off to that start was big but the way we responded after they chipped away was a great sign too. Now we need to re-focus and get ready for a crucial series this weekend.”

In the first, and ahead of Moysh’s home run, Jordy Hart walked to lead off the game and Seth Rhineer singled to put two on. Moysh then gave Utah Valley a 3-0 lead with his sixth home run of the season and third in the last three games.

Andrus had a two-run double in the inning to account for the last two runs, scoring Riley White and Greyson Bogden.

Moysh gave UVU a 6-0 lead with an RBI single in the second before New Mexico began chipping away. Two in the second and two more in the third made it a 6-4 game. Rhineer, who went 3-for-4, gave the Wolverines a 7-4 advantage with a sacrifice fly in the fourth.

After the Lobos added single runs in the fifth and sixth, the Wolverines sent nine hitters to the plate in the top of the seventh. Mark Krueger had a two-run single, Beau Kallas a sac fly and Andrus had his second two-RBI hit of the day on a single to right.

New Mexico got two back in the bottom of the seventh but got no closer. Tory Ulibarri struck out the side in the ninth to finish the game.

View Comments

Both teams finished with 16 hits on the day with John Pustay leading the Lobos with a 4-for-5 day. Alex Real head two hits and two RBIs. Each of his hits were doubles, tying him for the national lead with 23 on the year.

Patrick Wolfe (2-1) got the win in relief while Jonathan Cuellar lasted just 1.1 innings and gave up five earned runs (six total) on six hits in dropping to 3-3 with the loss. The win gives UVU a 3-1 record on its four-game road trip to New Mexico after winning two of three at New Mexico State.

Utah Valley now returns home for a key Western Athletic Conference series against Seattle U. The Wolverines enter the weekend in third place in the WAC.

Clint Burgi is the assistant athletic director for sports information at Utah Valley University. For more information on Wolverine athletics, visit WolverineGreen.com.

Join the Conversation
Looking for comments?
Find comments in their new home! Click the buttons at the top or within the article to view them — or use the button below for quick access.