OREM, Utah (May 1, 2012)--A record crowd of 5,456 fans witnessed Utah Valley University extend its 24-game win streak Tuesday night with a 14-11 victory over BYU baseball.

BYU (18-18 overall) grabbed the lead a couple of times midway through the game, partially due to doubling its home run output for the season and out-hitting UVU, 16-13.

The Cougars got a first pitch solo homer over the short porch to left field from catcher Alex Wolfe in the second inning which closed the gap to 2-1, favoring the Wolverines.

Outfielder Kelton Caldwell knocked a two-run homer to left field in the third, giving BYU a 6-2 advantage. Those homers were the first of the year for Wolfe and Caldwell as BYU's total is four dingers on the season.

The Cougars narrowly missed extending that lead to 8-3 when designated hitter Wes Guenther was robbed of a homer as Billy Burgess leaped at the right field fence for the catch to end the fourth inning.

“That could have been a huge play, a two-run homer,” BYU assistant coach Ryan Roberts said. “This was a big emotional game and a great crowd. I love how we competed. We got big hits early that got our momentum going. We were very good with two strikes and two outs.”

Seven of BYU's 11 runs were generated with two outs.

UVU (31-11) got a three-run, two-fence homer in the fourth inning from Goose Kallunki, his 13^th of the season, which put the Wolverines back on top at 8-6.

BYU regained the lead in the four-run fifth at 10-8, but lost it in the bottom of that frame when UVU countered with four runs of its own.

“Our inability to get the lead-off runners out was the difference in the game,” said Roberts. The Wolverines scored lead-off runners in the third, fourth and fifth innings.”

The Cougars return to West Coast Conference action when a three-game series starts on Thursday night with league-leading No. 19 San Diego in Provo.

One of the biggest weeks for BYU baseball finds the Cougars back in home territory as it plays Utah Valley University and No. 19 San Diego.

BYU [18-17, 7-5]  hosts league-leading San Diego (33-11, 10-5) in a three-game series starting Thursday, but first it plays Tuesday at UVU (30-11) at 6 p.m., in Orem.

UVU has a 23-game winning streak, preceded by the only game it lost in the Beehive State this season against Sacramento State on March 22.

“Utah Valley is playing with a great deal of confidence and has some nice wins,” BYU coach Vance Law said.  “That game prepares us for a huge series with San Diego.”

The Cougars are a game-and-a-half behind first-place San Diego.  Game times are Thursday and Friday at 6 p.m., followed by a noon tilt on Saturday.

“We can make up some ground if we play well,” Law said.  “They have some outstanding performers and have a great tradition.”

USD has a pre-season All-American third baseman in Kris Bryant, who was recently named to Team USA, and the nation’s leader in saves, Michael Wagner with 19.

USD is the only West Coast Conference opponent that BYU coach Vance Law has not competed against.  The Cougars are hopeful any of their seven pitchers who each have one league victory thus far can secure a second WCC win.

All of the BYU-USD games will be televised live by BYUtv and by 960 AM and BYU Radio on the Internet.

Fans are invited to help Pitch-in for Baseball. Bring a used piece of baseball equipment (ball, bat, glove, catcher's gear, helmet, etc.) to any game during the San Diego weekend May 3-5 and receive free admission. Equipment barrels will be ready at the entrance. Drop in your gear and receive a free admission ticket. Pitch-in for Baseball is a foundation that facilitates baseball gear donation to needy communities around the world.