Feb. 6, 2007
Tucson, Arizona - Utah Valley State got a solid pitching performance and a two-run double from Dan Bulow but fell 4-2 to Arizona (4-0) on Tuesday in the Wolverines' season opener in the desert.
Smith tossed four innings and scattered five hits while striking out five but it was his counterpart, Arizona starter David Coulon that impressed most after carrying a no-hitter into the seventh inning.
Eli Slesk broke up the no-hit bid with nobody out in the seventh on a single to center and Adam Openshaw followed that up with a single to right.
Bulow then delivered a two-run double to get Utah Valley on the scoreboard to cut the to 3-2 and was at third with nobody out before being stranded there to end the inning.
Arizona then added a run in the bottom of the seventh to take a 4-2 lead on an RBI double from TJ Steele.
Slesk led off the ninth with a single to bring the tying run to the plate before Jace Brinkerhoff lined out to second and Slesk was doubled up.
Bulow had a two-out single to again bring up the tying run but Daniel Schlereth earned his first save of the year retiring Scott Crowshaw to end the game.
Arizona scored its first two runs in the third on three consecutive singles from Jon Gaston, Robert Able and Bill Rhinehart and a CJ Ziegler sacrifice fly. Gaston added the third run for the Wildcats in the sixth on an RBI double.
Marcus Moore threw four solid innings for the Wolverines as well, allowing two runs (one earned) on four hits while striking out three.
"Overall I was pleased with our effort, especially our pitching," said head coach Steve Gardner. "Smith and Moore gave us a chance and give (Coulon) credit...he was tough. I do think we were a little anxious at the place and didn't make the adjustments we needed to make."
The Arizona staff combined to strike out Utah Valley 15 times in the ballgame, led by 11 from Coulon in six innings of work.
Rhinehart finished with three hits to lead the Wildcats while Bulow and Slesk had two hits each for the Wolverines.
Game Notes: Arizona is ranked #25 in the country by Collegiate Baseball ... Utah Valley fell to 0-4 all-time against Arizona and 0-4 all-time in season openers since the jump to NCAA Division-I ... the two teams will meet again in the series finale at 4:00pm MT on Wednesday afternoon ... Tai Penrod is the scheduled starter for the Wolverines.
