Utah Tech lost 3-2 to Saint Louis on Mar. 30 after a late comeback effort in a windy game at the Billiken Sports Center.
The matchup remained scoreless until the fifth inning, when Saint Louis scored three runs with two outs. The Billikens, now holding a record of 13-15, broke through against Utah Tech’s senior pitcher Tyler Ray, who had previously retired 13 of the first 14 batters he faced and recorded three strikeouts.
Saint Louis put together two singles before Austin Neuweg hit a sacrifice fly for the first run. Krew Bond followed with a two-run home run to left center field. Utah Tech had outhit Saint Louis five to one before that inning but trailed by three runs afterward.
In the eighth inning, Utah Tech managed to close the gap by scoring twice. Petey Soto Jr. and Kyle McDaniel started with infield singles, then advanced on Hudson Manwaring’s sacrifice bunt. Soto Jr. scored on Ryan Kroepel’s sacrifice flyout, and Gavin Glasgow drew a walk with bases loaded for another run.
Utah Tech threatened again in the ninth inning with two runners on base and two outs when Kroepel hit a line drive toward left center field, but Billiken centerfielder Ahmaad Duff made a diving catch to end the game. Despite outhitting their opponents nine to six—McDaniel led all players with three hits—Utah Tech could not complete their rally.
Three relievers from Utah Tech combined for three innings of one-hit scoreless relief work as they tried to keep their team in contention.
Looking ahead, Utah Tech will return home for a nine-game homestand beginning this weekend as they start their final season in Western Athletic Conference play by hosting Sacramento State at Bruce Hurst Field.
