The Utah Tech Trailblazers split a doubleheader against Abilene Christian on May 1, falling 13-10 in eight innings in the first game before winning the second game 6-3 at Karl Brooks Field.
This result keeps both teams in contention for a spot in next week’s Western Athletic Conference (WAC) Tournament. Utah Tech (17-32, 4-13 WAC) and Abilene Christian (7-40, 4-13 WAC) will play again Saturday afternoon, with the winner earning the No. 6 seed and advancing to the tournament.
Utah Tech showed strong offense throughout both games, collecting a total of 27 hits over the doubleheader. In game one, four Trailblazers had multi-hit performances: Kinley Pappas and Lauren Jones each recorded three hits, while Sadie Phillips and Lakaiya-Braessia Kahahawai-Kekona had two apiece. Pappas contributed two doubles and her team-leading eleventh home run of the season.
Game two saw Pappas, Phillips, and Kahahawai-Kekona each register three hits. Summer Sanderson hit her seventh home run of the year. On the pitching side, Sauren Garton started game one before Delaney Wright pitched six innings; Riley Price finished out that contest. Lexie Wilson earned her eighth win of the season by pitching over six innings in game two before Garton secured her first save by recording the final outs.
The opening game featured multiple lead changes as both teams exchanged runs across several innings. The Trailblazers forced extra innings but were unable to answer after Abilene Christian scored three times in the top of the eighth inning. In contrast, Utah Tech led early in game two following Sanderson’s home run and held off late pressure from Abilene Christian to secure their first win since April 7.
The series concludes Saturday afternoon with Senior Day celebrations as Utah Tech honors its six seniors prior to first pitch.
