After seeing success at a simliar tournament last season, Utah could not match that production as it went 0-4 over the weekend in the Pac-12/Big 12 Challenge.
The Utes dropped a heartbreaker to Kansas State 3-2 to kick things off on Thursday night, before losing to Kansas the following day. Finishing off the weekend for Utah were losses to Oklahoma State and Oklahoma to finish the weekend winless. Utah has now lost seven straight games..
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With the score tied at two late in the ninth inning against the Wildcats, Utah gave up the lead on a single that brought the Wildcat base runner on third base in for the run.
Despite the loss, Utah’s pitching was strong as junior Bret Helton pitched 7.1 innings, allowing just two runs on four total hits. He also struck out four batters before being replaced by sophomore Dylan Drachler. The succeeding pitcher earned the loss, falling to 0-2 on the season after allowing one run on two hits and a strikeout.
The Utes’ struggles at the plate continued as the team went 5-for-30 in the box. Junior Cody Scaggari was Utah’s only player who recorded more than one hit, going 2-for-4. Dallas Carroll and Wyler Smith drove in the runs for Utah.
After losing that nail-biter to Kansas State, the Utes returned to action on Friday night to take on Kansas, but the result was all too familiar as they fell 6-3.
The Jayhawks had a three-run first inning and never looked back as they commanded the game from start to finish.
Starting pitcher, junior Dalton Carroll, dropped to 0-2 on the year on the mound after pitching 5.2 innings. He gave up five runs on six hits before being replaced by Trenton Stoltz, who pitched for 1.1 innings while giving up a hit. Hunter Rodriguez was the last pitcher to see action in the final inning.
Utah was 8-for-34 at the plate on the night, led by juniors Kody Davis and Wyler Smith. Davis went 2-for-4 and scored a run himself, while Smith went 2-for-3. Junior Cody Scaggari had two RBI’s on the game while freshman Wade Gulden drove home the team’s only other run. He was 0-for-4 at the plate.
Utah had no time to dwell as it played Oklahoma State the next afternoon.
Unfortunately for them, the Utes were beaten by the Cowboys, 10-2. Utah came out strong and grabbed an early lead before being overwhelmed by the ninth-ranked Cowboys late in the contest.
Freshman pitcher Jayson Rose pitched five innings and was given the loss, his first on the year. He allowed five runs off five hits. Rose was relieved by freshman Spencer Johnson, while Dustin Hughes also saw time on the mound. Freshman Tanner Thomas pitched the final two innings of the game, striking out four batters and only giving up one hit.
At the plate, freshman Andre Jackson had the most successful day for Utah, going 2-for-3 with two RBI’s. Smith went 2-for-4 and also scored a run, while Young and Davis were the only other Utes to record a hit.
On the final day of the tournament, the Utes squared off against Oklahoma, but suffered through another nail-biter, losing the final contest 4-3.
Carroll had a great day at the plate, as he went 3-for-4 with an RBI, while the team hit 9-for-32 against the Sooners.
Junior pitcher Nolan Stouder earned the loss after pitching more than six innings. He allowed four runs on five hits and also had three strike outs. Senior Brock Duke replaced him to pitched the rest of the game and allowed three hits, while recording two strikeouts.
Utah will return to practice this week in preparation for its upcoming four-game series with Nicholls State.
“I think everyone is in the same mindset,” Carroll said. “We’re looking forward to coming back and practicing…going into the next week with a clear mind.”
@ISmithAtTheU