Two teams that seemed to be heading in opposite directions split a double-header Tuesday afternoon. The U baseball team lost game one 3-2, but came back strong with a 14-6 victory in game two over Southern Utah University.
The Utes seemed to have the edge in game one because of the pitching matchup. Josh Cooper, who was recently named Mountain West Conference Pitcher of the Week, was on the hill for the Utes, and he did not disappoint. In only four innings of work, Cooper didn’t give up an earned run, but two runs did score while he was on the hill.
Utah took an early 1-0 lead off a double by Clayne Garrett, but would not hold that lead for long. A fielding error by Tyler Kmetko allowed a runner on third base to score, tying the game at one.
In the very next inning, Southern Utah capitalized on another Ute defensive mistake. With two outs and nobody on, a fielding error by Ryan Khoury allowed a man to get on base. After a bean ball, a stolen base and a wild pitch, the Thunderbirds took the lead 2-1.
The game was only scheduled for seven innings and the Utes used their last inning to tie the game.
Mike Tummulo came into the game and doubled, which brought in the game-tying run.
The Thunderbirds still, however, had their half of the seventh, and they capitalized.
Southern Utah manufactured a run with a base hit, a sacrifice bunt and another base hit to win the game 3-2.
The next game was greatly different, as the Utes came out and put the game out of reach early.
The Utes doubled their run total in each of the first three innings, with one run in the first, two runs in the second and four runs in the third.
While the offense for the Utes was producing, the pitching was holding the Thunderbirds at bay.
Starting pitcher Matt Crockett pitched the first two innings of the game, allowing one run on two hits. Reliever Bryce Freed came on and pitched another two innings and allowed two runs.
By that time the Utes had a nine-run advantage and the game was well out of reach.
The Utes are now 4-8, while the Thunderbirds are now 7-5. Utah will have a week off before its home opener against Albertson College next Tuesday.