ABILENE, Texas – Jesse Schmit struck out eight and allowed just two runs on two hits over six solid innings of work, but Abilene Christian managed to manufacture the winning run in the last of the ninth en route to recording a 3-2 win over Utah Valley in the 2020 season opener on Friday evening at ACU's Crutcher Scott Field.
Abilene Christian (1-0) of the Southland Conference got off to a quick start, as it jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in the first. The Wildcats leadoff hitter Cameron Comer would get hit by a pitch and later move to second on a stolen base. Colton Eager would bring him home with an RBI single to right to make it 1-0. A couple of hitters later, an RBI double from Eric Wimpee would bring home Eager to make it 2-0 Wildcats.
The Wolverines (0-1) and Wildcats would settle into a pitcher's duel for the middle innings, as UVU senior right-hander Schmit and ACU left-hander Austin Wagner would put up zeros until the seventh. In his first start in a UVU uniform, Schmit struck out the side in the second, as well as faced the minimum in the third, fourth, fifth, and sixth innings en route to giving Utah Valley a chance.
The UVU offense would threaten for the first time in the sixth following a leadoff double from
Andrew Hacker. Senior
Alexander Marco would then reach base on a throwing error to put runners on at first and second with one out. The Wolverines couldn't manage to get a run across, however, as
Drew Sims would foul out to first and
Dalton Hill would fly out to deep left to keep it a 2-0 score.
Utah Valley again threatened in the seventh and this time managed to push two runs across to tie the score at 2-2.
Pacen Hayes and freshman
Garrett Broussard started the rally with back-to-back doubles to make 2-1. Following a pair of outs, the Wolverines would then tie the game on a Wildcat fielding error that allowed Broussard to deadlock the score at 2-2.
It would stay tied at 2-2 until the bottom of ninth inning when the first two hitters would reach base for Abilene Christian. Following a leadoff walk, Joseph Craig would then reach on an infield single. A UVU throwing error would then load the bases with no outs. With the bases full and the infield in, Hunter Gieser managed to lift Abilene Christian to the 3-2 victory with a walk-off sacrifice fly to right to end the ballgame.
Despite allowing just two runs on two hits while striking out eight and not walking a batter over 6.0 solid innings, Schmit took a no decision for the Wolverines. Reliever
Travis Parker (0-1) followed by providing a good outing out of the bullpen by going 2.0 innings and allowing just two hits on the night but would take the loss after allowing the first couple of baserunners to reach in the ninth. Abilene Christian right-hander Travis Riley (1-0) went 2.1 innings and allowed just one hit and no runs on his way to earning the victory.
The Wolverines saw a number of players make their UVU debuts in the 2020 season opener, including Hill and
Mitch Moralez who both went 2-for-4 at the plate on the night. Hacker and Broussard also picked up hits in the contest for UVU, while right-hander
Devin Smith entered his first collegiate game on the mound in the ninth.
The Wolverines and Wildcats will continue the opening four-game series with a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon MT/1:00 p.m. CT.
Bobby Voortmeyer (RHP) is scheduled to get the start for UVU and will face ACU's Austin Ruesch (RHP). The second game of the twin bill is slated for a 3:00 p.m. MT/4:00 p.m. CT and will feature
Romeo Carrillo (RHP) going up against Nate Hawkins (LHP). The series finale is then set for Sunday at noon MT/1 p.m. CT.
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