OREM, Utah—On the day of his graduation, Greyson Bogden led the UVU baseball team to a 7-4 victory over the defending WAC champion CSU Bakersfield Roadruners Friday night at Brent Brown Ballpark. Bogden scored three runs and went 3-for-3 with three RBIs, including a two-run home run to left center in the first inning, and drove in Justin Erlandson as the go-ahead run in the fourth with a single to center.
The Wolverines scattered seven hits, including five for extra bases, drew eight walks and struck out just two times in the win. UVU improved to 23-18 on the season and 9-7 in WAC play.
The Roadrunners jumped out to a 4-2 lead in the top of the second inning behind a three-run homer from Junior Felix off starter Patrick Wolfe, but Bakersfield did not score again.
UVU answered back as Spencer Gothberg hit a lead-off home run in the bottom of the second. After Bogden’s two-out double in the third, Mark Krueger sent a single through the left side of the infield to score Bogden and even the score at four.
Bogden produced more two-out magic in the fourth with a single up the middle, which scored Erlandson and advanced Zac Willis to third to give the Wolverines a 5-4 lead. Two pitches later, Krueger doubled to right. Willis scored easily and Bogden scored on a throwing error by Chance Gusbeth to take a 7-4 lead.
The Wolverines rode the arms of relievers Jake Mayer and Evan Fresquez, as the pair combined to allow just five hits, four walks, and no runs over seven innings of work.
UVU looks to clinch the series Saturday night as the two teams meet again at 6 p.m. MT at Brent Brown Ballpark.
