Strong Pitching, Clutch Hitting Key UVU Victory over San Francisco

Kyle McDonald, Sports Writer, @kylesportsbias

Junior Danny Beddes pitched eight strong innings and got some timely hits from the offense on a cold Friday afternoon to help UVU defeat San Francisco 3-1 on the opening day of the Lobo Invite in Albuquerque, N.M.

The UVU offense was another story as it was held to one hit through four innings.  San Francisco starter Anthony Shew retired the first 13 Wolverine hitters he faced.

With two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning, the UVU offense came alive. It started with a single by Spencer Gothberg and was followed a Greyson Bogden ground-rule double to center field that allowed Jordan Schlehuber score from second base to start the scoring.

Zac Fuller followed that with a single to left field that would score Bogden and Gothberg.  Fuller was able to advance to second base on a throwing error by the Dons.

“It was good to see our hitters have some better at bats and be able to knock in runners in scoring position. I thought our guys did a good job staying in it all game and played well,” UVU head coach Eric Madsen said.

It would be all the offense Beddes would need.  San Francisco threatened to score in the top of the sixth inning but Beddes was able to pitch out of a jam by getting designated hitter Jack Hall to ground out to first to end scare.

Beddes struck out seven and walked four but only allowed three hits and one earned run to earn the victory on the mound. “Danny pitched very well in extremely tough weather conditions,” said Madsen.

Kyle Valgardson came on in the ninth inning to close things out.  He struck out two batters to pick up his first save of the season for the Wolverines.

Due to weather, UVU will play San Francisco later than expected on Saturday afternoon.  They will follow that up with a night game against host New Mexico to end the Saturday triple header.