As the school year nears its end, three Utah Tech University sports teams are also nearing the end of their respective seasons.
Women’s golf finished the season at the WAC Championships, while baseball and softball continue WAC play with conference tournaments around the corner.
Baseball
Utah Tech wrapped up a four-game stretch with mixed results, highlighted by a road win at Brigham Young University before a competitive series at California Baptist University.
The Trailblazers opened the week with a 9-4 victory over BYU, extending their win streak to five games.
Utah Tech jumped out early, scoring three runs in the first and four more in the second to take control. Kyle McDaniel sparked the offense with a leadoff double, while Hudson Manwaring and Ryan Kroepel contributed key plays in the opening frame. Miller Durham added a three-run home run in the second inning to push the lead to 7-0.
On the mound, David Sheppard held the Cougars in check early, while Ethan Gardner and Easton Brooks combined for five scoreless innings out of the bullpen to secure the win.
“You can’t talk about tonight without talking about our last week,” head coach Chris Pfatenhauer said postgame.
“Had six games in seven days against some pretty good clubs, and to come out of that 5-1 is impressive for our guys,” he added.
The momentum stalled April 24 as UT fell 7-3 to California Baptist. Ty Johnsen and McDaniel each drove in runs, while Bryan Martinez added an RBI double late. Petey Soto Jr. extended his hitting streak to 15 games, but the Trailblazers were unable to keep pace after the Lancers pulled ahead with a four-run middle stretch.
Utah Tech responded April 25 with a dominant 10-1 win, bouncing back behind strong pitching and a productive offense. The Trailblazers controlled the game throughout to even the series.
However, the weekend ended on a tough note as Utah Tech was shut out 6-0 in the April 26 finale, unable to generate offense against strong California Baptist pitching.
With the 2-2 week, the Trailblazers now sit at 28-16 overall and 6-3 in WAC play.
Up next, UT returns home to battle the University of Nevada, Las Vegas April 28, before hosting a three-game conference series vs. Tarleton State University May 1-3.
Softball
Utah Tech dropped all three games in its WAC road series at Tarleton State University, beginning with an April 24 doubleheader and concluding with an April 25 shutout.
In game one of the doubleheader, the Trailblazers fell 2-1 in a pitcher’s duel. Lakaiya-Braessia Kahahawai-Kekona provided the lone run with a home run, while Sauren Garton delivered a strong complete-game effort, allowing just two runs on three hits across six innings.
Game two saw more offense from Utah Tech, but the Trailblazers dropped an 8-3 decision. Kahahawai-Kekona stayed productive with multiple hits and an RBI, while Kennedy Embrey and Sadie Phillips also recorded two hits each. Kinley Pappas added her team-leading 18th double, but a big inning from Tarleton State proved to be the difference.
In the April 25 finale, Utah Tech was shut out 11-0. The Texans scored early and often, including a four-run first inning and a six-run third to put the game out of reach. The Trailblazers were limited offensively and unable to respond.
Following the winless week, UT’s record is now 16-31 overall and 3-12 in WAC play. The Trailblazers have lost their last seven games.
Utah Tech will now take on Abilene Christian University in the final series of the regular season at home, May 1-2.
Sitting tied at the bottom of the WAC standings with ACU, the sixth and final conference tournament bid will be up for grabs in the series.
Women’s golf
Playing the final edition of the Western Athletic Conference Women’s Golf Championships, Utah Tech secured a fifth-place finish at The Clubs of Stonebridge Ranch Hills Course in McKinney, Texas.
The Trailblazers compiled a team score of plus-56, while four UT golfers recorded top-20 finishes.
Senior Jane Olson was the top finisher for the Trailblazers, carding a score of plus-13 to finish in a tie for 14th place.
This article was originally written for Utah Tech’s student newspaper, Sun News Daily.
Photo credit: Utah Tech Athletics.
