Feb. 18, 2012
Final Stats
DAVIS, Calif. - First baseman Ethan Leiter launched a three-run blast in the second inning to send Utah to a 7-1 victory over UC Davis in collegiate baseball action at Dobbins Stadium Saturday afternoon. Junior Paul Politi and redshirt freshman Nick Lynch each had two hits for the Aggies.
Both teams even their records at 1-1.
Utah starter Joe Pond allowed just one run in six innings of work to outduel UC Davis' Anthony Kupbens on the mound. The Aggies managed their lone run behind singles by Eric Johnson, Nick Lynch and Scott Kalush in the fourth to cut the Utah lead to 3-1. UC Davis nearly added a second tally in that frame on what would have been a John Williams sacrifice fly but the Utes successfully appealed the retouch at third to wipe the run and close the inning.
Utah touched Kupbens for four straight hits to start the second inning, including Leiter's three-run homer over Dobbins Stadium's left-field signage. With Jo Jo Sharrar and Tyler Relf aboard later in the inning, shortstop James Brooks sent a deep fly toward the right-field alley that looked to add to the Ute lead. But the Aggie freshman Williams came up with a diving catch then sprung to his feat to double up Relf at first.
The Utes extended their lead to 6-1 in the sixth, pushing across three run on three hits and two Aggie errors. Biss Larsen ripped a two-out, two-run single against reliever Ryan Lucas to highlight the rally. Tyson Gonzalez singled to lead off the seventh and later scored on Trey Nielsen's sacrifice fly to tack on a seventh Utah run.
Gonzalez and designated Parker Morin each had two hits and two runs for Utah. Lynch posted the lone UC Davis RBI, bringing in Johnson during the fourth-inning rally.
UC Davis and Utah continue their four-game series on Sunday. Game time is 1 p.m.
| Utah (1-1) | 030 | 003 | 100 | - | 7 | 9 | 2 |
| UC Davis (1-1) | 000 | 100 | 000 | - | 1 | 7 | 2 |
Joe Pond, Nick Green (7), Josh Chapman (8) and Jo Jo Sharrar. Anthony Kupbens, Ryan Lucas (6), Craig Lanza (7) and Scott Kalush, Spencer Brann (8). Win - Pond (1-0). Loss - Kupbens (0-1). Save - none.
Hitters - Utah: Tyson Gonzalez, 2x5; Shaun Cooper, 1x4; Parker Morin, 2x3; Trey Nielsen, 2x3, 2B, SF, RBI; Ethan Leiter, 1x4, HR, 3 RBI; Jo Jo Sharrar, 1x3; Biss Larsen, 1x4, 2 RBI. UC Davis: David Popkins, 1x4; Eric Johnson, 1x4; Paul Politi, 2x4; Nick Lynch, 2x3, RBI; Scott Kalush, 1x3.
