Baseball Rallies in Eighth for 7-6 Win

Tuesday, May 13

Ute Field

3:00 PM

University of Utah

22-24

Southern Utah

26-25

Southern Utah

University of Utah

5/13/2008 12:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

May 13, 2008

Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah baseball team got off to quick start as it built a 4-1 lead after two innings, but it hit a lull and had to rally in the eighth inning for the 7-6 win over Southern Utah here this afternoon.

Utah (22-24 overall) had five hits in the first two frames, and it built a 4-1 lead in that time. But, SUU held Utah hitless for five innings and the Thuunderbirds captured the 6-4 lead. The see-saw teetered Utah's way in the eighth as the Utes scored three runs, the game-winner courtesy of a bases-loaded balk, to capture the come-from-behind win.

"I'm proud of the way the guys came back to get the win today," said head coach Bill Kinneberg. "I don't think we played well in some areas, but we battled and got the win. That's all that matters. Now, we're ready to move on to the next series this week."

Utah used five different pitchers in rallying for the win this afternoon. Kerr Foster got the start, but it was reliever Tyler Andersen who got the win. It was his first victory of the year as he went two-thirds of an inning. Closer Robert Chimpky came on in the ninth to pick up the save, his seventh of the season.

The T-Birds finished with the 13-9 edge in hits as Cooper Blanc's 2-for-4, two-RBI day led the team. Blanc sparked the come-from-behind rally in the eighth inning as his one-out seeing-eye single with runners on second and third tied the game, 6-6.

Nick Kuroczko also had two RBI today, both of which came off of his first homer of the year in the second inning.

The Utes benefited from an SUU mental error in the eighth to take the lead. With the bases loaded, reliever Kyle Hamman balked on the mound which plated Austin Jones. That proved to be the difference-maker in the game.

Hamman got the loss for SUU. A pair of hitters led the Thunderbirds with a game-high three hits. It was Ray Wright's 3-for-5, two-RBI effort that led SUU's offense.

The Utes wrap up the regular season at home with a three-game series against BYU at Franklin Covey Field. Utah needs three victories in order to win the first-ever Deseret First Duel trophy. First pitch on Thursday and Friday is at 6 p.m. Saturday's game will start at 1 p.m.