As per custom, conference play takes a one-day break in the middle of the week for the U baseball team as it heads south to take on in-state foe UVSC in Orem.
The Utes and Wolverines are hardly strangers, of course. The two clubs, who have made a tradition of scheduling several meetings throughout each season, got reacquainted with each other last weekend.
After weather prevented the teams from taking the field for a scheduled Tuesday ballgame on March 27, they got to face off in a four-game series with three games in Salt Lake City and one in Orem. Home-field advantage won out and the Utes won all three of their games at Ute Field, with UVSC salvaging one victory in convincing fashion at Wolverine Stadium.
The Utes answered with a pair of dominating victories in a Saturday afternoon doubleheader, 15-1 and 17-1.
Since then, Utah’s rapid improvement has only continued. Over the weekend, the Utes took two of three from MWC contender San Diego State and have now won five of their last six series.
As for this weekend, struggling starter Lucas Trinnaman-who has yet to get on track this season, dropping all five of his decisions and having a team-high 7.99 ERA-will get another shot to re-energize his senior season. However, he will face off against the one Wolverine hurler who gave the Ute offense fits last time around.
In UVSC’s lone victory in the aforementioned four-game series, junior righty Marcus Moore three-hit the Utes to earn the victory. He will take the mound against Trinnaman on Tuesday evening.
One key for the Utes could be, once again, the bullpen, which has been a crucial part of several of the team’s wins this season. Brett Bruneel picked up a win and a save in the series against the Aztecs this past weekend and was honored for his efforts by being named the MWC’s Pitcher of the Week.
Game time for tonight’s showdown is set for 7 p.m. at Wolverine Stadium.
Tyler CobbUte shortstop Mike Mitchell tries to catch San Diego State’s Joe Spiers stealing second base, but was unsuccessful on the tag. Utah plays UVSC tonight in Orem.