Utah Valley Upsets Oregon for Historic NCAA Win

Utah Valley University achieved its first NCAA Division I tournament win since joining Division I in 2003 by defeating No. 12 Oregon 6-5 in the opening round of the NCAA Eugene Regional at PK Park. Jimmy De Anda led the Wolverines with three RBIs, while Carston Herman and Cooper Littledike delivered strong relief pitching to secure the win. A pivotal moment occurred in the eighth inning when Oregon’s Anson Aroz was initially ruled safe at home but, after video review, was called out and ejected for malicious contact, erasing a potentially game-tying run. Oregon’s Drew Smith hit two home runs, nearly sparking a comeback in the ninth inning. The win sent Oregon, the tournament hosts and Big Ten regular season champions, to an elimination game and advanced UVU to face Arizona. UVU coach Nate Rasmussen highlighted the significance of the victory, which was achieved in front of a large, partisan crowd.