March 1, 2013

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Utah Valley University found itself on the short end of a pitcher's duel, 1-0, in the opener of a three-game series at Sacramento State on Friday at John Smith Field.

Adam Gunn (1-2) went the distance for the Wolverines (4-6), allowing just one run on three hits but two Hornet pitchers combined on the five-hit shutout of UVU.

Ty Nichols (1-1)pitched 7.1 innings, scattering four hits and striking out five to get the win. Sutter McLoughlin pitched the final 1.2 innings and struck out a pair to get the save for Sac State (5-4).

Riley White and Kai Hatch had four of UVU's five hits, garnering two apiece. Hatch singled with two out in the ninth to put the tying run on but McLoughlin got Colby Croft to pop out to end the game.

Kade Andrus was the only other Wolverine to get a hit, singling to lead off the eighth. He was sacrificed to second by Court Zollinger and Beau Kallas walked, but McLoughlin entered the game and retired the next two hitters, stranding both runners.

The game's lone run came in the fourth when Andrew Ayers, who reached on a fielder's choice, scored on Rhys Hopkins' base hit to left.

The series continues on Saturday with a 2 p.m. first pitch. Blake Krahenbuhl will start on the mound for Utah Valley.