Utah Tech could not overcome a big Seattle U outburst in dropping the middle game of its three-game home WAC series, 12-2 in seven innings, on Saturday afternoon at Bruce Hurst Field.
The Trailblazers (18-26/4-13 WAC) found themselves in a quick 7-0 second inning hole, thanks in large part to Redhawk center fielder Sam Kane, who belted a pair of three-run home runs in each of the first two innings.
Seattle U (16-28/5-12 WAC) would tack on another run in the fourth before extending to a 12-0 advantage in the fifth on a grand slam homer off the bat of Kenny Ishikawa.
Utah Tech finally got into the scoring column in the home fifth with solo home runs from
Kyle McDaniel and
Ryan Kroepel.
The Trailblazers then loaded the bases with one out in the sixth, but were turned away when a
Gavin Long line drive down the third base line was snared by Redhawk infielder Reese Harmon, who then won the race back to the third base bag to complete the unassisted double play.
Utah Tech had another chance to extend the game after the stretch with runners on the corners and one out. However Seattle U reliever Rafael Espinoza would induce a game-ending double play to pull the Redhawks even in the series.
The Trailblazers lost despite outhitting Seattle U 12-9, though they were done in by a combined seven walks issued by Blazer pitchers.
Kroepel and
Hunter Katschke each collected three hits to lead Utah Tech. Meanwhile McDaniel, who has now hit safely in 14 of his last 15 games overall, extended his Division I-era school record on-base streak to 30-straight games thanks to his lead-off homer in the fifth.
McDaniel also became the sixth Trailblazer in the program's NCAA era overall to reach base safely in at least 30-consecutive games. Former All-American outfielder
Jake Engel (2017-21) was the last to achieve the feat, reaching base safely in 31-straight games, which included a school record 21-game hit streak.
Utah Tech will look to clinch the series win in the rubber game on Sunday beginning at 11:05 a.m. (MT).
