SUU Baseball Swept at Portland
PORTLAND, Ore. - March 27 - Southern Utah had an early 2-0 lead in the second game of a doubleheader at Portland on Saturday afternoon, but ultimately fell 3-2 after falling 7-2 in the opening game. The losses dropped the T-Birds to 4-17 on the year while the Pilots moved to 15-6.
In game one Southern Utah was down 2-0 going into the top of the sixth inning before the Thunderbirds put their first run on the board. A lead-off single in the frame by Trevor Randolph later led to an RBI single off the bat of Matt Sanford, but the margin grew back to two as the Pilots answered with a run in the home half of the inning.
Four more runs in the bottom of the seventh inning built the lead to 7-1, but the T-Birds fought back with three hits in the top of the ninth. However, the trio of base knocks only led to one run as Southern Utah fell 7-2 on an inning-ending ground ball.
SUU starter Kyle Hamman was given the loss in 6.2 innings where the senior allowed seven runs (all earned) on ten hits and three walks with three strikeouts. UP starter Kyle Kraus pitched the complete game, allowing two runs (both earned) on nine hits and no walks while recording 14 strikeouts.
In game two Southern Utah opened the game with a 2-0 lead after runs in the top of the first and third innings. The scores came on lead-off walks in both frames by D.J. Andrade as the freshman scored on an RBI single by Matt Sanford in the first and an RBI ground ball off the bat of Bucky Aona in the third.
Portland began to chip away at the lead in the bottom of the third, scoring a run on three hits during the frame. Another run in the bottom of the fourth tied the game at 2-2 with a final run scored on a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the fifth leading to the 3-2 victory for the Pilots.
Southern Utah was a step away from tying the game in the top of the sixth as Brock Westphal advanced to second base on a one-out double. Westphal charged towards home as Levi Swenson hit a single up the middle during the next at bat, but was thrown out at the plate.
Justin Neubauer suffered the defeat on the hill for Southern Utah, throwing five innings, allowing the three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks with one strikeout. Portland's starter, Scott Burris, was chased off the mound after 2.2 innings, allowing the two runs (both earned) on five hits and three walks. Owen Jones came on in relief to pitch 4.2 innings for the win with Chris Dennis earning his sixth save of the year in 1.2 innings of work.
Southern Utah will return to Cedar City for a brief stay next week before heading back on the road to face the Utah Valley Wolverines during the weekend. The four-game set is scheduled for April 1 through April 3.
