Utah Tech defeated Sacramento State 13-3 in a seven-inning game on April 3 at Bruce Hurst Field, with Petey Soto Jr. leading the way by hitting a home run and driving in a career-high six runs.
The win matters for Utah Tech as it marks their fastest time to reach 20 victories since joining Division I, reaching the milestone in just 31 games. This achievement is also the ninth-fastest time to reach 20 wins in the program’s two-decade NCAA history.
The Trailblazers started strong, scoring four runs with two outs in the second inning after taking advantage of two errors by Sacramento State. Soto Jr. singled to bring home the first two runs and later scored himself on a double steal. After Sacramento State responded with two runs in the third inning, Utah Tech extended its lead by adding five more runs during their next turn at bat. With bases loaded and two outs, Soto Jr. hit his first collegiate grand slam over the left field wall off reliever Chase Sorlie, marking his second home run of the season and setting a new single-season record for Utah Tech’s fourth grand slam—all achieved at home.
Senior pitcher Tyler Ray earned his third win of the season after coming on for starter Dakoda West and pitching nearly four innings of scoreless relief while striking out one batter and allowing only two hits. Catcher Ty Johnsen contributed significantly with four hits—including two doubles—and scored four times, matching his previous career high set last year against Sacramento State.
Soto Jr. finished with two hits and scored twice; Kyle McDaniel added a pair of hits along with an RBI; Finnegan Stewart drove in two runs; and Mays Madsen tied a school record by drawing four walks.
Utah Tech will attempt to sweep its three-game Western Athletic Conference series against Sacramento State during Saturday’s finale scheduled for noon.
