Utah Tech defeated Utah Valley 6-5 on Apr. 18, securing its second consecutive Western Athletic Conference (WAC) series win of the season at UCCU Ballpark.
The game was marked by a strong performance from senior pitcher Dakoda West, who pitched seven innings and helped keep Utah Tech in contention despite a challenging third inning where Utah Valley scored four runs, three of which followed an error by the Trailblazers. The Trailblazers responded in the fourth inning with four runs to tie the score. Hudson Manwaring hit a two-run single, and Petey Soto Jr. followed with another single that brought in two more runs.
A key defensive play came in the fourth when first baseman Miller Durham made a leaping catch and doubled off a runner at third base, ending a potential scoring threat for Utah Valley. West then retired nine consecutive Wolverine hitters and struck out four during that stretch.
Utah Tech took its first lead in the seventh inning when Durham singled to drive home Kyle McDaniel. In the eighth, Mays Madsen scored on an error after Manwaring’s sacrifice bunt gave Utah Tech an insurance run.
Ryan Kroepel closed out the game for his tenth save of the season, tying him for third on Utah Tech’s single-season saves list and moving him into second place all-time in program history with eighteen career saves. Durham led offensively with three hits, while McDaniel and Manwaring each collected two hits as Utah Tech outhit UVU eleven to seven.
The victory marked Utah Tech’s twenty-fifth win of the season—the highest since joining NCAA Division I six years ago. The team will aim for a sweep against their rival in Sunday’s series finale.
