Storm secure first win in late innings

Kline hit in 8th inning proves to be game-winner

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ST. GEORGE, Utah – The series opener on Friday against Dixie State and Montana State–Billings featured two teams looking for their first win of the 2014 season. Both teams had opportunities in the late innings, but only Dixie State was able to capitalize.

Kevin Kline (Las Vegas, NV) had an RBI single with two outs in the eight inning while MSUB was unable to push any of the eight runners they left on base from the seventh inning home in the Red Storm's 2-1 victory at Bruce Hurst Field.

Dixie State improved to 1-7 after two road sweeps over the past two weekends. The Yellowjackets drop to 0-5.

MSUB struck first with an unearned run in the second inning.

DSU found the equalizer in the fourth. Kline doubled to left with one out. Dalton Gust (Riverton, UT), on the very next pitch, singled right back up the box bringing Kline home.

Kody Christoffersen (Ogden, UT) got the start for the Storm and worked through six innings of four-hit baseball. He struck out a season-high seven batters. After allowing the leadoff runner aboard in the MSUB seventh, Taylor Stone (Sierra Vista, AZ) relieved Christoffersen. Stone struck out one before Cody Clark (Las Vegas, NV) got the call to hit the mound. Clark induced a ground ball with two runners in scoring position to keep the game knotted at 1-1.

Clark scattered a single and plunked two batters to load the bases in the eighth. Head coach Chris Pfatenhauer made a timely move to the bullpen for converted catcher Matt Hill (Cypress, CA). In a pressure situation, Hill struck out the first batter on three pitches and then he got out of the frame after a line drive to right was tracked down by Austin Bartleson (Kennewick, WA).

Pinch hitter Trey Kamachi (Kapolei, HI) began the go-ahead rally with a one-out single against reliever Jordan Knoll. He advanced to third on a single by Donald Glover (Las Vegas, NV). Kline didn't tear the cover off the pitch from Jake Mills, but the half swing effort rolled toward the left side of the infield and came to rest for the RBI.

MSUB had the bases loaded in the ninth against DSU closer Evan Parker (Ogden, UT) with one out. But like the inning prior, Parker recorded the final two outs with a three-pitch strikeout and a foul out to third to preserve Hill's relief win.

Both teams recorded six hits. Kline was the only player from either club to record a multi-hit game.

Games two and three of the series will be contested on Saturday in doubleheader action. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.

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