The third game of each series has been the money game for the U baseball team, as Mitch Maio takes the hill and is usually able to shut the opposing team down.
This weekend, the Utes headed down to San Diego to take on the conference-leading San Diego State Aztecs in a critical series for the Utes.
The Utes took two out of three from the Aztecs at home earlier in the year, but were even better on the road, as they took the first two games from the Aztecs, 14-9 and 2-1.
The Utes looked at the third game of the series as the game they could easily win. Not only was Maio on the mound, but the Aztecs have had problems with their third starter throughout the year.
However, the entire series held many surprises. The Utes were able to hit well against ace pitcher Chris Dunwell in the opener. The Utes then saw Cheyenne Rushton outduel Rory Shortell in a close matchup in Game 2.
The last surprise came in Game 3, as the Utes were defeated even after Maio was given a five-run lead, as they fell 6-5.
The series of surprises ended with Utes taking sole possession of second place in the conference, with an MWC record of 11-10. They are also 27-20 overall.
The BYU Cougars, who were tied with the Utes for second place, split two games with the Air Force Falcons this weekend.
Those two teams could not finish the final game of the series due to rain, and may not make up the game in accordance with Mountain West Conference rules, which do not allow a team to make up a game if the teams will not meet up again later in the season.
Utah earned the two wins it got from the Aztecs. The hitters came to play in the first game, as the Utes pumped out 18 hits. Adam Castleton led the way with his two-run home run.
Ryan Reisbeck earned the victory even though Jason Wylie got the start. Wylie allowed the Aztecs to get out to huge lead, as he only lasted 2.2 innings and gave up 7 earned runs.
The second game featured two pitchers at their best, as Rushton and Shortell went toe to-toe until the ninth inning.
A hit by Brit Pannier drove in Matt Ciaramella to get the go ahead run, and Maio came into to assume his old role as closer. Maio finished off the game and the Utes had won the series.
Game 3 had the two teams tied in the bottom of the ninth, when the Aztecs got the bases juiced and a sacrifice pop fly allowed the Aztecs to win the final game of the series.
Utah will now have a chance at redemption against the New Mexico Lobos, while the Cougars will battle with UNLV, as the two teams head down the stretch in the race for second place in the conference.