March 30, 2006
OREM, Utah - Utah Valley State blasted four home runs on its way to a 13-7 win over in-state rival Southern Utah (12-8) in the opener of a four-game series Thursday night. The Wolverines (8-19) came up with 17 hits on a night when Cory Newton, Eli Slesk, Dan Bulow and Canyon Vance all hit round trippers.
Slesk finished the night 4-for-5 with five RBI while Vance came up with three hits and four RBI as Utah Valley has now won two straight over the T-Birds.
"It was just a complete effort by the guys tonight," said UV head coach Steve Gardner. "We talked about having a complete game from everybody and I think we did that."
"I haven't been swinging the bat well lately," said Slesk. "It felt good to finally see some pitches and hit the ball hard. Really it just feels good to get a win."
Nick Connor returned from an injury and gave Utah Valley a big boost at the plate with three hits while improving his season average to .525.
"Not only is Nick a great player, he's just an emotional leader for us," said Gardner. "It was real important to get him back."
After SUU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first it looked to be a pitcher's duel between UV's Kam Mickolio and T-Bird starter Kasey Hubbard as both hurlers breezed through the next three innings. But in the bottom of the fourth the Wolverines got RBI singles from Slesk and Vance to get on the board and put some pressure on Hubbard, who hadn't allowed a hit until that inning.
Southern Utah answered in the top of the fifth when Trever Dimick came up with a big two-out two-run single to give the T-Birds the lead back at 3-2. Justin Sotelo then drove Dimick in with an opposite field double to left, extending the advantage to 4-2.
Newton led off the bottom of the fifth with his first home run of the season to cut the lead to one and Slesk hit his second of the season with two out in the inning to give the Wolverines back the lead.
Once again though the T-Birds answered back with a single run in the sixth when Joe Wright scored on a wild pitch, tying the ball game up a at five.
Utah Valley State took the lead for good in the bottom of sixth when Slesk singled home Brad Hales and Connor.
Bulow hit his fifth home run of the season in the seventh and UV added five more in the eighth capped by a three-run shot by Vance.
Mickolio (3-4) earned the win on the mound, lasting six innings and allowing five runs (four earned) on five hits.
Dustin Wittwer (1-2) suffered the loss after coming on in relief for Southern Utah and pitching 1.2 innings and allowing three runs on four hits.
Chris Benson added two hits and two RBI for the Wolverines while SUU was led by Chester Wilson's two hits. Dimick had three RBI on the night for the T-Birds.
The two teams will meet three more times this weekend with the second game of the series tomorrow night at 7pm. The series will conclude Saturday with a 1pm doubleheader.
