The U baseball team has seen numerous late leads slip away this season, so when Utah Valley State was trailing 4-3 late on Thursday night, the tension in the air at Franklin Covey Field was palpable.
How did Utah relieving pitcher Robert Chimpky respond to the situation in the top of the ninth inning? One, two, three. Chimpky finished off a solid performance from starter Stephen Fife and reliever Stephen Streich and the Utes went on to the 4-3 win.
The victory boosts Utah’s overall record to 11-13 and gives Fife his fourth win in six tries this season.
“Our three pitchers threw very well today,” Utah head coach Bill Kinneberg said. “They really did a nice job, particularly late in the ball game. I thought Stephen Streich and Robert Chimpky did a good job closing the game for us.”
Utah got on the board in the first inning thanks to an RBI single from Cody Guymon, then doubled that lead in the second when Corey Shimada pounded a hit through the right side of the infield.
The Wolverines (5-18-1) bounced back though, scoring one run in the top of the third to cut the deficit to 2-1. UVSC would take its first and only lead of the game in the top of the fourth inning when two Utah fielding errors allowed UVSC runners on base. Those runners would score on a two-out single from the Wolverines’ Jake Rickenbach to give UVSC a 3-2 lead.
Utah responded in clutch fashion. In the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs, Michael Beltran and Tyler Relf both ripped RBI singles. Relf’s shot turned out to be the game-winning run as Fife, Chimpky and Streich kept the Wolverines at bay for the remainder of the game.
Beltran led the Ute offensive attack in the contest with three hits. Corey Shimada and Dustin Hennis also impressed. Shimada recorded two hits and two stolen bases and one of Hennis’ two hits went for a triple.
The win gives the Utes some sweet redemption after losing to their in-state foe 8-0 on Wednesday.
“This was a good win, especially after we lost to them (on Wednesday),” Kinneberg said.
The Utes and Wolverines will continue their four-game series tonight at Franklin Covey Field at 6 p.m. They will then finish the series on Saturday at 1 p.m. in Orem.
Lennie MahlerStephen Fife delivers the heater in Utah’s game against Utah Valley on Thursday at Franklin Covey Field.