April 7, 2007

Salt Lake City, Utah - One day after rolling over the University of Utah in Orem, the Utah Valley baseball team looked like a totally different squad, struggling in two blowout losses in a Saturday doubleheader in Salt Lake City.

The Utes (13-18) sailed to 15-1 and 17-1 wins over the Wolverines, dominating at the plate and on the mound in taking three out of four games in the series. Both teams held serve on their respective home fields.

Utah Valley (11-20) mustered just seven hits in the two games while Utah finished with 32 hits in the two games including 10 eight doubles a three triples.

In the first game, Utah scored four runs in the second with the blow coming on a Nate Burham two-run single. They broke open the game with a seven-run fourth with two UV errors leading to four unearned runs in the inning.

Utah Valley pushed its only run across in the seventh when Derrick Thomas doubled and was pinch ran for by pitcher Matthew Ratliff. Ratliff then came around to score on a single by Jace Brinkerhoff.

Dustin Hennis had three hits and three RBI in the game while Mike Mitchell also had three hits and Burnham drove in four runs.

In the second game Utah applied early offensive pressure and never let up, scoring at least one run in every inning.

Burnham had a 5-for-6 outing while Corey Shimada was 2-for-4 with four RBI including a bases loaded triple in the fifth.

Eli Slesk had two hits in the game for the Wolverines.

The two teams will meet two more times this season, both in Orem, on April 17th and May 8th.

Up next for the Wolverines is a three-game mid-week series with Southern Utah beginning with a Tuesday doubleheader at 4pm. Wednesday's game will begin at 7pm.