Feb. 19, 2010

TUCSON, Arizona - A five-run second inning and a trio of freshmen pitchers sent Utah Valley to a season-opening 8-1 loss at Arizona in Friday's opener of the 2010 college baseball season.

Arizona's freshman righthander Kurt Heyer was dominant in his first start, striking out 13 Wolverines while giving up just one run on three hits over six innings of work. Heyer, Nick Cunningham and Tyler Hale combined to strike out 17 batters, tying a Utah Valley team record for most times struck out in a game.

"It was disappointing," said Utah Valley coach Eric Madsen. "We need to do a better job of staying within our approach and things will take care of themselves. The hits will come."

All five of the Wildcats' runs in the second came with two outs. An infield single by Bryce Ortega drove in the first run before a bases loaded triple by Rafael Valenzuela cleared the bases. Valenzuela then came home on a single to left by Steve Selsky.

The Wolverines got a run back in the third when Jake Rickenbach reached with a two-out walk and was driven home when Chris Benson tripled. Benson finished with two of UVU's five hits on the night.

Arizona chased Kyle Beecher after 2.2 innings of work, pinning him with seven runs on eight hits. Freshman Blake Krahenbuhl threw 4.1 solid innings out of the bullpen in his first collegiate appearance. Krahenbuhl allowed one run on five hits while another freshman, Kade Andrus, threw a perfect eighth for the Wolverines.

The Wildcats got three hits from Jeff Bandy in improving to 9-0 all-time against UVU. Four others had two hits apiece on a 13-hit night for Arizona.

Austin Heaps doubled in his first at-bat in over two years after returning from an LDS mission. Heaps and Benson were the only two players with extra-base hits for UVU.

The series continues on Saturday at 6 p.m. with Sunday's finale slated for noon.