The U baseball team achieved its goal of a two-game series sweep as it defeated the Southern Colorado Thunderwolves in the final game of the series Wednesday, 9-6.
The approach to playing Southern Colorado this week was much different for Ute coach Tim Esmay, as the majority of the hitters and pitchers he threw out on the mound were sophomores and freshmen.
“We needed to get the younger guys on the mound to pitch well, and they did that today,” Esmay said.
Even though the Utes were trying to develop the young players in this short series, Esmay still knew what the ultimate goal was.
“Whenever we take that field, we have to want to win, and that is what we did today,” Esmay said.
Freshman pitcher Brad Martinez started on the hill for the Utes and played well in 5 innings of work. Martinez allowed 4 earned runs and struck out three 3 batters before being replaced.
The most impressive play on the mound for the Utes, though, came from freshman Clay Westmoreland, who pitched 3 innings of shutout ball. He also struck out three batters and only allowed 1 hit.
Even with all the freshmen playing well, Utah would not have won the game without the help of a few upperclassmen.
At the plate, Donnie Saba launched a three-run home run in the third inning to give the Utes a 3-2 lead.
After the Thunderwolves took the lead back in the fourth inning, Brett Biesenger tied the game up with a triple, and the Utes never fell behind Southern Colorado again.
After not playing in the first game of the series, Nate Weese was able to extend his hitting streak to 22 games, as he went 1-for-5.
Jared Snyder was able to close the game, but was touched up for a run in the ninth inning, which was his only inning of work.