March 25, 2011

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Jeremy Gendlek tossed a complete game three-hit shutout as Utah Valley opened a series at Sacramento State with a 6-0 win on Friday afternoon in Northern California.

Gendlek, in just his second start, threw 100 pitches in getting the Wolverines' (5-12) third shutout of the year and first by a single pitcher since the 2008 season.

"Jeremy Gendlek set the tone for the game. He attacked and kept the pressure on throughout the game," said head coach Eric Madsen. "I thought everybody played with good energy today, especially defensively."

Utah Valley had five doubles, two each by Chris Benson and Austin Heaps. Willie Pratt reached base in each of his five plate appearances, going 2-for-2 with two walks while scoring three times.

The Wolverines also had a handful of web-gems to aid in the shutout; with two outs in the third, Billy Burgess made a leaping catch at the top of the wall in right, taking away what could have been a home run off the bat of Kirby Young.

Jason Zundel had a pair of diving catches including one in the fifth in foul territory when he also gunned down a potential run at the plate for an inning-ending double play.

The game was scoreless into the fifth when Pratt led off with a single and came into score the game's first run on a double by Benson. Heaps later doubled home Benson with two outs to make it 2-0 Wolverines.

In the seventh, UVU sent ninth hitters to the plate getting a two-run double by Burgess, doubling the lead. Heaps later doubled and scored when Zundel walked with the bases loaded.

The Wolverines added their final run in the eighth when Benson's second double plated Pratt. UVU finished with 12 hits on the day.

Gendlek (1-2) retired 11 of the final 12 hitters he faced and surrendered just three singles; base hits in the second and fourth and a bunt single in the fifth.

The series continues Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. PT/2 p.m. MT.