Maddie Bejarano’s walk-off three-run homer propelled BYU to a 9-7 victory over Utah Valley on Monday evening, securing its second straight win at Gail Miller Field.

Trailing by as many as four runs, the Cougars (16-6, 1-2 Big 12) sparked a comeback in front of a crowd of 517 with 12 total hits, including Bejarano’s climactic homer.

Left-handed pitcher Chloe Temples came on to pitch three innings in relief, recording a trio of strikeouts. She surpassed 500 career strikeouts in the outing, and now sits at 501.

UVU took an early lead with a three-run first inning, highlighted by a two-run single and another RBI hit. BYU started its comeback in the third inning with runs batted in by Huntyr Ava and Udall, reducing the deficit to 3-2.

The Wolverines extended their lead to 6-2 by the fifth inning, capitalizing on a series of hits and taking advantage of BYU’s missed opportunities to score.

The Cougars narrowed the gap to 6-5 in the sixth inning following RBIs from Lambert and Agbayani and tied the game at 6 after Agbayani scored on an error.

Utah Valley briefly regained the lead with a solo homer in the top of the seventh before Bejarano’s walk-off three-run shot in the bottom of the inning clinched the come-from-behind win for BYU.

BYU travels to face No. 2/1 Texas on Thursday, March 14, at 5 p.m. at Red & Charline McCombs Field. The game will be available on the Longhorn Network.

UVU wrestler Evan Brockman headed back to NCAA finals

The NCAA Wrestling selection committee announced the recipients of the at-large bids to the 2024 NCAA Wrestling Championships on Mar. 21-23 in Kansas City. UVU’s Evan Bockman earned his third trip to the Championships.

Bockman is 18-7 overall this season and came in this week at No. 23/24 in the InterMat and FloWrestling polls. He was especially tough in dual competition this year, finishing 8-1, with wins over ranked foes No. 27 Julien Broderson (Iowa State), No. 19 Wyatt Voelker (UNI), and No. 19 Joey Novak (Wyoming).

His only loss in dual action came to 2024 Big 12 Champion No. 5 Tanner Sloan (South Dakota State) in a 5-0 decision in February.

The Championships will be held on Mar. 21-23 at T-Mobile Arena in Kansas City, Mo. TV coverage will air on the ESPN family of networks.

Former Wolverine soccer star Heather Stainbrook signs NWSL contract

Former Utah Valley standout midfielder Heather Stainbrook has signed a professional contract with the Washington Spirit, becoming the first player in UVU history to sign with a team from the National Women’s Soccer League.

Stainbrook signed a three-year deal with the Washington Spirit. Stainbrook signs a pro contract after impressing the Spirit at training camp, which she was invited to after going undrafted in the NWSL draft in January.

Stainbrook is Utah Valley’s career leader in goals (40), points (105), game-winning goals (14), shots attempted (305), and shots on goal (134). She is also tied for the all-time UVU career assists record with 25.

“Reflecting on my journey at UVU, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude for the program, my coaches, and my teammates who have all played a pivotal role in my development,” said Stainbrook. “The guidance and unwavering belief from my coaches have been instrumental in shaping me into the player and person I am today. These past five years have challenged me, fostering growth beyond my expectations.

“As I step into this new chapter with the Washington Spirit, I carry with me not only the skills but also the passion for soccer that UVU has instilled in me. I’m thrilled for the opportunity to continue playing the game I cherish at a professional level, all while representing UVU on a national stage.”

The Washington Spirit, based in Washington, D.C., play at Audi Field in Buzzard Point. Founded on November 21, 2012, the Spirit was an inaugural member of the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), the premier women’s soccer league in North America.

The Washington Spirit will open the 2024 season at Lumen Field in Seattle, Washington, on Sunday, March 17, against the Seattle Reign. The Spirit will play in Sandy, Utah, at America First Field against the Utah Royals on Saturday, June 8.

UVU baseball loses heartbreaker to Pacific

Utah Valley University baseball lost 6-5 on Tuesday afternoon to the University of the Pacific. UVU (4-12, 1-2) had great pitching performances from Jayse Burkett and Robby Butenschoen, who held the Tigers (3-13, 0-0) scoreless for six combined innings, but Pacific rallied late for the win.

The Tigers rallied late for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning for a 6-5 win. Dickinson finished the game 1-for-3 with two walks and scored three runs. Smith finished 2-for-3 with two doubles.

Utah Valley returns home for a three-game series against WAC foe Stephen F. Austin. The series starts on Friday, Mar. 15, at 4:05 p.m. MT.

BYU gymnast Brynlee Andersen named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week

BYU women’s gymnastics freshman Brynlee Andersen was named Big 12 Newcomer of the Week, the league announced Tuesday.

The Cougars had their final home meet of the season on Friday, Mar. 8 against No. 15 Ohio State, earning a total score of 196.450.

Andersen scored a new career high 9.975 on the balance beam, the highest score on any event by a BYU gymnast this season. The Orem, Utah native is one of only six gymnasts in program history to earn a 9.975 on the apparatus. Anchoring on beam in Friday’s competition, Andersen’s score helped the Cougars achieve a season-high 49.425 on beam, the fifth-highest beam score in program history.

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