Utah Wins Season-Opener at San Francisco, 11-9

Friday, February 17

San Francisco, CA

2:00 PM

University of Utah

1-0

San Francisco

0-1

Team	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	Runs R	Hits H	Errors E
Utah	8	0	2	0	1	0	0	0	0	11	12	3
San Francisco	0	0	2	0	1	0	1	2	3	9	17	1

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Hammill finishes a double short of the cycle

SAN FRANCISCO – An eight-run first inning for Utah proved crucial, as the Utes withstood a late rally from San Francisco and held on for an 11-9 season-opening victory over the Dons on Friday at Benedetti Diamond.

Making his Utah debut, left fielder Elijha Hammill finished 4-for-5 with four RBI and three runs scored as Hammill was a double short of the cycle. Second baseman Landon Frei (3-for-5) and shortstop Bruer Webster (2-for-4) also had multi-hit performances, the latter coming in Webster's collegiate debut.

Sophomore Cam Day had a career-high eight strikeouts in his first start of the season before Micah Ashman fanned four more batters, with each allowing two earned runs. Zac McCleve came on in the ninth inning for the save, capping a day that saw the Utah pitching staff allow just one walk and strike out a combined 14 San Francisco batters.

Utah struck right out of the gate in the top of the first inning, sending 12 batters to the plate and netting eight runs on five hits. It all began with a two-run single for Kai Roberts, followed four batters later when Jake Gish worked a bases-loaded walk for a 3-0 Utes lead.

Stepping up for his first collegiate at bat, Hammill laced a two-run single through the left side, then Landon Frei notched his second hit of the inning with a three-run long single off the right-field netting—giving Utah the 8-0 advantage.

In his next turn up to bat, the switch-hitting Hammill—now up from the left side—turned on the payoff pitch and 10^th pitch of the at bat, pulling it down the right field line for a two-run homer, his first as a Ute.

The Utes held an 11-3 lead after five innings, but USF would put up six runs over the final three innings and brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth inning. McCleve came on with one out in the frame and worked a strikeout and a fly ball two batters later to seal the ballgame.

The Utes and Dons continue their four-game series on Saturday, February 18 with first pitch set for 2 p.m. MT. Randon Hostert is expected to start on the mound for Utah.

Follow Utah baseball on social media (@utahbaseball).