BASEBALL: SANTA CLARA, Calif. -- Despite losing a late lead, the Utah baseball team rallied for a 6-4 win over UC Davis on Thursday evening at the Jack Gifford Memorial Tournament.
With UC Davis down 3-1 in the seventh inning, the Aggies' Eric Johnson hit a two-run home run to tie the game at 3-3. However, the Utes would rally in the top of the eighth with two outs. With Michael Beltran on base after reaching on a fielders choice, C.J. Cron was intentionally walked before both runners moved over on a balk. Cody Guymon had the big hit of the inning, driving in both runners with a single as the Utes re-took the lead, 5-3.
UC Davis attempted another scoring run in the bottom of the eighth as David Popkins walked with one out and scored on David Popkins RBI single, cutting the lead to 5-4, but Tyler Relf gave Utah an insurance run when he doubled to left to lead off the ninth before scoring on an error for the final 6-4 score.
Despite allowing a two-out walk, Tyler Wagner had two strikeouts in the bottom of the ninth to pick up his third save of the year. He allowed no hits over his 1.1 innings.
Rick Anton earned the win on the mound and goes to 2-1 on the year. He went 7.2 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on nine hits with five strikeouts and a walk.
"I thought our infield defense was terrific tonight, and Rick and Wagner really pitched well," Utah head coach Bill Kinneberg said. "We got the key hits tonight from C.J. and Cody."
Utah continues at the Jack Gifford Memorial Tournament on Friday, March 11, against Santa Clara. First pitch is at 6:00 p.m. PT.