Utah Tech came up just short of posting its second-straight WAC series win as the Trailblazers dropped the rubber game of a three-game set at Abilene Christian, 4-2, on Sunday afternoon at Crutcher Scott Field.
 
Trailblazer catcher Hank Dodson broke the seal on a scoreless game in the top of the third with his third home run of the season, a one-out solo shot to left field.
 
After ACU (28-17/12-11 WAC) tied the game in home half of the frame on a Maddox Miesse sacrifice fly out to center, the Trailblazers took the lead right back an inning later with a two-out Ethan He RBI-single that chased home Zach Thomas from third.
 
Utah Tech (12-33/7-16 WAC) clung on to that 2-1 lead until the ACU seventh, when after a one-out error and single, Wildcat outfielder Grayson Tatrow homered down the left field line to give his side its first lead of the day at 4-2. 
 
The Trailblazers had a chance to tie or retake the lead in the eighth when Thomas beat out an infield hit and Chase Rodriguez reached on a Wildcat error with one out in the inning. 
 
However ACU managed to escape the jam with the lead intact, and Wildcat closer Zach Smith (S, 6) retired Utah Tech in order in the ninth to clinch the series win. 
 
The Blazers were limited to just four hits on the day, with Thomas accounting for two of those safeties to go with one run scored. Junior hurler Ryan Hardman (L, 1-7) came on in relief in the third inning and retired 12 of the first 13 Wildcats he faced, but ran into some bad luck in the seventh to wind up on the wrong end of the decision.
 
Utah Tech closes its 2023 home slate next weekend with a three-game WAC series vs. Seattle U. Friday's series opener will start at 6:05 p.m., followed by game two on Saturday at 2:05 p.m., and Sunday's series finale at 12:05 p.m.