After defeating San Diego State last weekend in what was one of the biggest series victories the U baseball team has had all season, the BYU series looked as if it had a large X on it; however, the Utes had to play a doubleheader against Albertson College before the series against the rival Cougars.
In order to rest up key players for the big weekend series, U coach Tim Esmay played the backups who needed to get innings in, as he did last week against Southern Colorado.
“We need to give these guys a rest or they will not be ready to go in the big series next week against BYU,” Esmay said.
With the reserves seeing most of the action, the Utes lost Game 1 of the doubleheader 11-8. However, they were able to bounce back with a strong pitching performance, and split the doubleheader by winning the second game 10-4.
Sean Overholt started the first game for the Utes. Last week, he pitched very well in relief of Doug Mackay in Game 1 against Southern Colorado and got the nod to start on the hill this time. But he did not fare well in his 3.2 innings of work. He was hit early and often and allowed 6 runs before being pulled.
The offense for the Utes could not provide enough runs after the offensive barrage Albertson College laid out. Utah had 13 hits, which were two more than Albertson had, but stranded 6 runners.
Donnie Saba hit a home run in the first inning, but that would be the Utes’ lone run until the final four innings, by which time the Utes finally started knocking the ball around, but were already down 8-1.
As in Game 1, another player who threw scoreless innings against Southern Colorado started against Albertson.
However, Clay Westmoreland pitched a little better for the Utes, as he allowed 4 runs in 5 innings of work, and struck out 7 batters. He earned his first win of the season for his efforts against Albertson.
The Utes got plenty of offense in this game, with Nate Weese, Brit Pannier and Brett Baldwin all knocked in 2 RBI apiece.
Saba hit his second home run of the doubleheader, and was also the benefactor of all the hitters around him, as he crossed home plate three times in the game.
“We need to get some of the guys in the ballgame that don’t usually get in, so they can be ready in case we have to call on them in the future,” Esmay said
Utah now has a record of 19 14 as it heads into one of the biggest series of the year, against the vaunted Cougars