Utah will look to get back to .500 Tuesday night at Spring Mobile Ballpark as it takes on the Utah Valley Wolverines. This will be the first in-state opponent the Utes will face this season.
After dropping three straight games to Cal last weekend, Utah will be focusing on executing its offense. The Utes had no trouble chalking up hits, but they struggled to get runners across the plate in their home-opening series. In particular, Utah will be hoping to execute on the base paths in bunting situations and in hit-and-runs.
“When there are those opportunities, we’ve got to be able to capitalize on those,” said Utah head coach Bill Kinneberg.
Kinneberg said the ability to execute on offense is going to come from Utah’s young roster gaining more game-time experience.
“Two things that are hurting us right now are injuries and youth,” Kinneberg said. “With five or six freshmen on the field at one time, they are getting their feet wet and learning what it’s like to play in this league. It’s a good thing.”
Utah’s senior Trey Nielsen will have a key role in helping the Utes execute their offense. Whether he is playing first base, designated hitter or pitching, Nielsen will be in the middle of the lineup to help spur run production. He played all three positions over the course of last weekend’s series on his way to four doubles, two singles and three RBIs.
“I don’t think there’s one role that I’m most comfortable in,” Nielsen said. “They groom me that way throughout the fall and prep me for the season. That was the plan going into it. I’m prepared for everything.”
UVU is coming off a series win at St. Mary’s where it took two of three games. The Utes had the same result at St. Mary’s earlier this season.
It has been a back-and-forth battle between in-state opponents. Going back to the 2009-2010 season, Utah is 5-4 versus UVU. The Utes took an 11-10 win over the Wolverines in their last meeting, snapping UVU’s 32-game win streak. Nielsen is looking forward to seeing how they match up against the Wolverines this season.
“It’s kind of us, BYU and [UVU] have this in-state rivalry going,” Nielsen said. “We expect a tough game out of them. Past years it’s been pretty even. They beat us, we beat them.”
Chase Rezac will be making his second start on the hill for Utah. Rezac will be looking for his first win of 2013, as he is 0-2 on the year with a 6.14 ERA. Devin Nelson will be making his sixth start of the season for UVU. He is 1-1 with a 3.55 ERA.
“They’re a good team,” Kinneberg said. “We’ll have our hands full on Tuesday night.”
The game starts at 6 p.m. and marks the first of six games Utah will play this season against UVU and BYU.