Preview: Northern Colorado Bears at Utah Valley Wolverines

VINEYARD, Utah (Interstat) — The Utah Valley Wolverines look to build on their first series win of the season when they host the struggling Northern Colorado Bears in a doubleheader opener on Saturday at Brent Brown Ballpark.

First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for a chilly, cloudy afternoon with temperatures around 39 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Wolverines (5-6) enter with momentum after taking three of four from UC Riverside last weekend, capped by a 13-2 rout on March 1. Right-hander Ray Hernandez starred in that victory, throwing four strong innings of relief, allowing three hits and one earned run while striking out five. He will be a key arm to watch for Utah Valley.

Northern Colorado (1-13) snapped a 13-game season-opening losing streak with a 9-7 win at UNLV on Wednesday. The Bears’ offense was fueled by left fielder Jaden Stone, who went 4 for 6 with four RBIs in the victory. Stone is batting .429 (9 for 21) with eight RBIs over his last six games, providing a bright spot for a team that has been outscored 120-68 this season.

The Bears’ pitching staff, which carries an 8.07 team ERA, will try to contain a Utah Valley lineup that produced 33 runs in its four-game set against UC Riverside. Hunter Katschke and Luke Iverson each homered in the series finale.

This game is the second of a four-game series between the teams. Utah Valley won the opener 8-0 on Friday.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, the projected final score is Utah Valley 4, Northern Colorado 1.

Following the doubleheader, the teams will conclude the series with single games on Sunday and Monday.