MESA, Ariz.—No. 1 seed Seattle University defeated fifth-seeded Utah Valley University, 7-1, in a winner's bracket game Thursday night at the WAC baseball tournament at Hohokam Stadium. Utah Valley will now face No. 4 Sacramento State in an elimination contest on Friday at 12 p.m. MT.
Utah Valley (19-34) had scoring opportunities in second, fourth, fifth and seventh innings but was not able to put a runner across the plate until
Craig Brinkerhoff doubled to score
Mark Krueger from second base in the eighth inning. The Wolverines went 1-for-11 at the plate with runners in scoring position.
"We had multiple opportunities but their guy found a way to pitch out of it," said Utah Valley head coach
Eric Madsen. "Seattle U is the No. 1 seed at this tournament for a reason. They've got a good team. We'll regroup and come out tomorrow and compete."
Danny Beddes was impressive on the mound as he retired the side in order in the second, fourth and fifth innings. Beddes worked 6.0 innings with eight strikeouts while giving up just one walk.
Jake Marvos led Utah Valley with a 2-for-3 effort at the plate, which included a double in the second inning.
Kade Andrus went 2-for-4 and Krueger went 1-for-3 with a walk and a run scored.
Seattle U (30-25) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning after Landon Cray singled up the middle to score Colin Peterson from third. Cray then scored from second base to put SU up 2-0 after Sheldon Stober singled to right center. Stober tried to stretch the single into a double and was thrown out by UVU's Krueger to end the inning.
The Redhawks recorded three hits and scored four runs in the seventh inning to take a 6-0 advantage. Utah Valley was able to get on the scoreboard in the eighth inning when Brinkerhoff doubled to score Krueger to make it 6-1.
SU tacked on a run in the bottom of the eighth before holding Utah Valley scoreless in the top of the ninth to secure the win. Skyler Genger picked up the win on the mound for the Redhawks, working 6.2 innings with six strikeouts while not allowing a run.
Andrus highlighted the UVU defensive effort with a leaping grab high off the left field wall in the bottom of the first inning.
Utah Valley continues WAC Tournament play on Friday in an elimination game against Sacramento State. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. MT. The game will be broadcast live on the WAC Digital Network (www.WACsports.com/Watch).
