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 the opener of a Saturday doubleheader at Brent Brown Ballpark.

First pitch for Game 1 is set for a chilly 39 degrees under cloudy skies.

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 was dominant in that victory, striking out five over four innings of relief while allowing just one earned run. He figures to be a key arm again for Utah Valley.

Northern Colorado (1-13) snapped a 13-game season-opening losing streak with a 9-7 road win at UNLV on Wednesday. The Bears’ offense broke out, led by left fielder Jaden Stone, who went 4 for 6 with four RBIs. Stone is batting .500 (12 for 24) with eight RBIs over his last six games.

That win followed a 1-11 loss to the Runnin’ Rebels on Tuesday and a series sweep at Utah Tech the previous weekend. The Bears’ only other meeting with Utah Valley this season was a loss Friday.

Utah Valley’s offense, which produced 33 runs in the Riverside series, will be led by first baseman Hunter Katschke and designated hitter Luke Iverson, who both homered in the finale.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 4-1 Utah Valley victory.

The doubleheader begins a three-game series between the teams, with another game Sunday and a finale Monday.