It was another action-packed week in Trailblazer Athletics, as the softball team began its home slate with a 4-1 record and women’s basketball recorded an undefeated week.
Baseball, men’s basketball, women’s tennis, and women’s golf were also in action.
Softball
Hosting the Lyman Classic Feb. 20-22 to open the home portion of its schedule, Utah Tech softball finished the weekend with a 4-1 record.
The Trailblazers opened the tournament with a 14-11 win over the University of California, Davis on Feb. 20, as Lakaiya-Braessia Kahahawai-Kekona drilled a three-run walk-off home run to secure the win.
Next, UT battled Cal State University, Bakersfield, winning 12-2 in the second game of the day.
Lexie Wilson pitched a complete game in the circle, tossing a career-high five innings while limiting the Roadrunners to five hits and two runs.
The Trailblazers then faced both teams again Feb. 21, first falling to UC Davis 9-0.
Utah Tech answered back against CSU Bakersfield, turning an 8-2 deficit into a 10-8 victory after scoring five runs in the fourth inning and three in the sixth.
UT finished the weekend with another dramatic finish, taking down future conference foe Weber State University Feb. 22, 13-5.
In the tournament finale, Kinley Pappas tied a school record by hitting three home runs, including a walk-off grand slam.
“It’s great,” UT head coach Randy Simkins said of the 4-1 weekend.
“I love playing at home. The girls played amazingly,” he added.
On the season, the Trailblazers are now 6-9 overall.
Up next, UT hosts the Beehive Classic Feb. 26-March 1.
The Traiblazers will be in action Feb. 26 (3 p.m.) and 28 (5:30 p.m.) vs. Weber State, Feb. 27 vs. the University of Utah (3 p.m.), and March 1 vs. Utah State University (12:30 p.m.).
Baseball
Playing four games during the week, the Trailblazers secured a win over Cal State Bakersfield Feb. 18 before taking two of three games at the University of the Pacific Feb. 19-21.
UT handed the Roadrunners a 14-4 defeat first, as Kyle McDaneil went 3-for-6 at the plate with five runs driven in. Miller Durham added a solo home run, the first Trailblazer to go deep this season.
Utah Tech then made its way north to Stockton, California, winning a series against Pacific.
The series opener saw UT drop a close 4-3 contest, before winning the next two, 2-1 and 8-5.
By recording a hit in the series rubber match, Kyle McDaniel extended his hitting streak to a new program record 22 games. McDaniel also extended his school NCAA-era on-base streak to 49-straight games.
Winning three of four, the Trailblazers wrapped up their eight-game Golden State season-opening road trip with a 7-1 record.
Utah Tech now makes its home debut next, hosting the University of Northern Colorado in a four-game series Feb. 27-March 1.
First pitch for the home opener is slated for Feb. 27 at 4:05 p.m.
Women’s basketball
Taking the court for a pair of games at Burns Arena, the women’s basketball team notched a 2-0 record with the conference tournament around the corner.
First, the Trailblazers ended a nine-game losing streak Feb. 18, defeating the University of Texas at Arlington, 60-58.
Kaylee Borden’s career-high 29 points and two free throws in the final seconds gave UT the win.
Utah Tech then finished the week by handling Tarleton State University Feb. 21, 76-55.
Brie Crittendon tied a career-high with 23 points in the win as UT recorded its largest margin of victory in a game this season.
The two wins now mean Utah Tech’s record sits at 8-17 overall and 3-12 in Western Athletic Conference play.
The Trailblazers now travel to Texas to face Abilene Christian on Feb. 26 at 5 p.m. Mountain Time.
Men’s basketball
Utah Tech split a pair of games this past week in Texas to stay in the thick of the WAC title race.
First, the Traiblazers fell 63-50 at UT Arlington Feb. 19, ending a six-game winning streak.
Ethan Potter led UT with 16 points and 11 rebounds in the defeat.
The Trailblazers then earned an 80-72 victory at Tarleton State Feb. 21.
Utah Tech trailed 48-35 six minutes into the second half, but they slowly chipped away before a 12-0 run put them in front, 69-60.
UT led the remainder of the game, knocking down eight of its final 10 free throws to seal the road victory.
Chance Trujillo and Jusaun Holt led the Trailblazers with 19 points apiece as they secured the regular-season sweep of the Texans.
The 1-1 week puts Utah Tech’s record at 17-12 overall and 10-5 in WAC play, just a ½ game out of first place.
Up next, UT returns home to host Abilene Christian Feb. 26 at 7 p.m.
Women’s golf
Women’s golf was in action at the Western Michigan University Rio Verde Collegiate Invitational Feb. 20-22, finishing 12th in the 19-team field.
Jane Olsen and Mia Cesarek were the top UT finishers, shooting +12 for a 30th-place tie.
Women’s golf is back in action at the Southern Utah University Pizza Hur Lady Thunderbird Invitational, March 6-8 at Sunbrook Golf Course in St. George.
Women’s tennis
Traveling to Las Vegas, the Trailblazers were swept 7-0 in a neutral-site match vs. the University of Colorado Feb. 21.
UT now heads to Grand Junction, Colorado, Feb. 27-28 to battle Colorado Mesa University and Colorado College.
You can find the full Utah Tech Athletics schedule here.
