Utah Tech wrapped up the road portion of its 2024 slate on the wrong end of an 11-4 decision at in-state foe Utah on Tuesday afternoon at Smith's Ballpark.
As was the case when the two teams first met last week in St. George, both the Trailblazers and Utes struck for multiple runs in the first inning.
Utah Tech jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, cashing in a
Kyle McDaniel walk and a
Hunter Katschke double with productive RBI-putouts from
Aaron Perez and
Hank Dodson.
The Utes (32-18) clapped back with two runs of their own in their first swings, thanks in part to a throwing error on the back end of a double steal and a TJ Clarkson double.
The scored stayed deadlocked until the bottom of the third when Utah erupted for five runs on seven hits to race out to a commanding 7-2 advantage.
The Trailblazers were able to get one of those runs back in the fourth on an
Ethan Royal run-scoring flyout, only to see Utah answer in the home fourth with three more runs to extend to a 10-3 cushion. The Utes would cruise on from there to pick up the win in the final college baseball game at Smith's Ballpark.
Utah Tech (13-40) wound up with six hits on the day.
Garrett Cutting went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored, while Rodriguez also drove in a run as part of a 1-for-3 day.
Utah Tech will put a bow on its 2024 season this weekend with a three-game home series vs. California Baptist at Bruce Hurst Field. Games one and two of the series will be played on Thursday and Friday nights at 6:05 p.m. (MT), followed by a Senior Day Saturday matinee at 12:05 p.m. (MT).
