May 25, 2007
Orem, Utah - A solid opening inning for the second consecutive night was not enough for Utah Valley as NYIT pitcher Jon Burke pitched a gem, leading the Bears to a 9-3 victory over the Wolverines.
Just one night after pounding 26 hits, the UV (24-30) bats were held in check all night by NYIT's (25-26) Burke, who allowed just six hits while striking out nine and walking none. The 6-7 southpaw threw just 97 pitches, 72 for strikes, in the win.
Derrick Thomas headlined the Wolverines offense as the senior catcher belted his school-record-tying 15th home run of the season.
For the second night in a row UV got off to a hot start, jumping to an early first-inning lead. Tyler Garretson and Eli Slesk opened the Wolverines side of the opening frame with back-to-back singles before Thomas belted his third home run of the independent tournament. Thomas drove the first pitch he saw over the center-field fence to give Utah Valley a 3-0 lead.
After that, NYIT pitcher Burke settled in and retired 10 of the next 11 batters he faced.
The Bears got on the board in the fourth inning, scoring three to tie the game. NYIT scored all three runs with two out in the inning. The first run came on a RBI single by Joe Lucente followed by back-to-back RBI doubles by Greg Gilroy and Brian Smith.
NYIT took the lead the next inning, scoring two in the fifth on a wild pitch and a RBI groundout. The Bears added two more runs in each the seventh and ninth innings to extend their lead to 9-3.
UV got two runners on with one out in the fourth but was unable to score as Burke forced consecutive fly outs.
In the bottom of the eighth the Wolverines had another excellent scoring opportunity with runners on first and third with nobody out in the inning. After Garretson got gunned down at the plate trying to steal home, Burke forced a double play to end the inning.
Burke pitched a perfect ninth to cap his complete game win.
The Wolverines will wrap up tournament play when they finish their season against Chicago State Saturday at 4 p.m.
