SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah rallied for a pair of runs in the ninth inning Sunday to defeat Southeastern Louisiana, 4-3, at Smith's Ballpark and win the series.
Southeastern (26-11), which had been threatening to break through the whole game, took its first lead over Utah (12-20) with two outs in the top of the ninth.
Trailing 2-1,
Jacob Seward started the Lion rally with a single to left field.
Julian Service worked a walk, putting the potential tying and go-ahead runs on.
Daniel Midyett rearranged the score, ripping a triple down the first-base line. Coming into the at bat, Midyett was 0-for-4 in the game.
The Utes, who had taken a 2-0 lead on single runs in the third and fourth, refused to go away quietly.
Pinch hitter Biss Larson greeted Lion reliever
Mac Sceroler (2-1) with a single to left. Following a fly out, Sceroler issued a walk to right fielder Josh Rose and hit Kody Davis with a pitch to load the bases.
The Lions went to the bullpen for
Kade Granier. He retired the first batter he faced on a fly ball, but it was deep enough for pinch runner Patrick Flynn to score from third. After falling behind Dallas Carroll, the Lions elected to intentionally walk him to load the bases and set up a force. Utah cleanup hitter AJ Young then ripped a base hit down the left field line to drive in the winning run.
Brock Duke (1-4), who had surrendered the lead in the top of the ninth, wound up earning the win. Sceroler was tagged with the loss.
Kevin Carr (2-for-4),
Brett Hoffman (2-for-4) and Seward (2-for-5) led the Lions at the plate. Service was 1-for-2, but also drew three walks.
Southeastern returns to action Tuesday at 6 p.m., traveling to Louisiana-Lafayette (21-13) Tuesday for a game that will be broadcast on ESPN3.
Utah Utes 4, Southeastern La. 3 (Apr 12, 2015 at Salt Lake City, Utah)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Southeastern La..... 000 010 002 - 3 10 3 (26-11)
Utah Utes............... 001 100 002 - 4 11 1 (12-20)
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Pitchers: Southeastern La. - Cedotal, Kyle; Keller, Kyle (6); Sceroler, Mac (9); Granier, Kade (9) and Eades, Chris; Cuccia, Nico. Utah Utes - Rose, Jayson; Helton, Bret (6); Rodriguez, Hunter (7); Duke, Brock (9) and Young, AJ.
Win-Duke, Brock (1-4) Loss-Sceroler, Mac (2-1) T-3:30 A-951
Weather: Sunny and cool
