April 9, 2011

NEWARK, New Jersey -- Jeremy Gendlek threw ten shutout innings and Kai Hatch hit a two-run home run in the 11th as Utah Valley won a second-straight extra inning contest, 2-0, over NJIT on Saturday night.

It's the third straight win for the Wolverines (10-17, 3-0) - overall and in the series - and their 13th straight win in the Great West Conference.

Gendlek struck out eight in becoming just the second UVU pitcher to throw more than nine innings in one game and the first to do it against a Division I opponent. It's also the fourth shutout of the year for the Wolverines and the second in the last three Gendlek starts.

"Jeremy Gendlek was an absolute stud throughout the night. He battled and he competed and went punch-for-punch with all night. I couldn't be more proud of what he did," said head coach Eric Madsen.

After playing a doubleheader on Friday that included a 14-inning, 9-8 win, Utah Valley and NJIT (5-18, 0-3) each matched zero for zero until the 11th.

Austin Heaps got his third hit of the day to lead off the inning and was sacrificed to second by Goose Kallunki. Hatch then delivered his home run, a no-doubt shot to left, to drive home the winning run for the second straight night in extra innings.

Craig Brimhall threw the bottom of the 11th to collect his first save of the year. He pitched through a one-out, runners at second and third situation after an infield single and an error. Brimhall struck out DJ Roche for the second out before getting Bryan Bleakley to fly out to Jason Zundel in left to end the game.

Roche started on the mound for the Highlanders and lasted nine-plus innings, also striking out eight. He started the 10th but left with two runners on and nobody out.

Gendlek's record moves to 2-3 with the win and Matt Tomczyk (0-2), who started the day at shortstop for NJIT, took the loss.

The Wolverines will go for the four-game sweep on Sunday with first pitch set for 11 a.m. ET/9 a.m. MT.