Preview: Northern Colorado Bears at Utah Valley Wolverines

VINEYARD, Utah (Interstat) — The struggling Northern Colorado Bears will look to avoid a series sweep when they face the Utah Valley Wolverines in an evening matchup Sunday at Brent Brown Ballpark.

The Bears (1-14) have lost 14 straight games since a season-opening win. Their offense was silenced in a doubleheader Saturday, failing to score in both contests against Utah Valley pitching. Northern Colorado has been outscored 22-6 in the first three games of this four-game series.

Utah Valley (6-6) has found its footing after a slow start, winning five of its last seven games. The Wolverines’ pitching staff has been dominant in the series, posting consecutive shutouts Saturday.

A key matchup will feature two right-handers seeking different outcomes. Northern Colorado’s Reece Wagner is a player to watch, though he has struggled recently. In his last start Friday against these same Wolverines, Wagner took the loss, allowing five earned runs in five innings. Over his last four appearances, he has surrendered 16 earned runs in 12 2/3 innings.

Utah Valley will counter with Colton Kennedy, who earned the win in Friday’s series opener. Kennedy threw five strong innings, allowing one earned run on five hits while striking out six. He has recorded six strikeouts in each of his last two outings.

For Northern Colorado, Jake Bullard provided a bright spot Friday, going 2-for-5 with an RBI. Utah Valley’s Mason Strong powered the Wolverines’ offense in that game, hitting a two-run homer as part of a 2-for-4 performance.

The weather forecast calls for cloudy skies and a temperature of 46 degrees at first pitch.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, Utah Valley is projected to win 4-1.

Following Sunday’s series finale, the teams will meet again Monday at Brent Brown Ballpark. Northern Colorado then returns home to host Saint Thomas (Minn.) in a three-game series starting Friday. Utah Valley hosts Cincinnati for a two-game set beginning March 16 before a challenging road series at Stanford.