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On Sunday night at Smith's Ballpark, the University of Utah's baseball team delivered an impressive performance, decisively beating the Washington Huskies 14-3 and clinching the series. This win marks a notable achievement in their season, boosting their record to 26-12 overall and 11-7 in the Pac-12 Conference, tying them with Oregon for second place and just behind Arizona.
Kai Roberts was a standout player, hitting 4-for-6 with four runs batted in (RBI) and scoring twice. Roberts continues his strong season, contributing RBIs in four consecutive games and maintaining a high batting average. Additionally, his 25th stolen base tied him for third in Utah’s all-time single-season records.
Drake Digiorno also excelled, going 3-for-5 including a double and three RBI. The team’s collective effort included multiple RBI contributions from TJ Clarkson and Tyler Quinn, each adding two to the score.
Starting pitcher Colter McAnelly threw five strong innings, allowing just one run and three hits, and striking out five, recording his first conference win. Utah's aggressive start in the game saw them score early, with three runs in the first inning initiated by a first-pitch single and successful steal by Core Jackson, followed by timely hits from Roberts and Digiorno.
The team continued to build their lead, adding runs in the second inning and a pivotal three runs in the fifth, highlighted by strategic hits and taking advantage of Washington's errors. The Utes’ offensive barrage culminated in a six-run eighth inning, practically sealing the game.
Washington’s efforts included scoring runs in the fourth and sixth innings and a solo home run in the ninth, but these were not enough to challenge Utah’s lead. Relief pitcher Brett Porthan took over in the sixth, contributing three innings and giving up one run, while Randon Hostert closed the game strongly in the ninth.
Looking ahead, the Utah Utes are set to face BYU Cougars on Tuesday in a highly anticipated rematch, aiming to reverse their previous loss earlier in the season. This next game, taking place at Miller Park in Provo, promises to be another exciting chapter in their competitive season.
