Kirk Haney – USU Eastern Athletics
Photo Courtesy of- Jeff Barrett
The USU Eastern baseball team were at home over the weekend and welcomed in Colorado Northwestern Community College. The Eagles were in command in the two wins and let the two losses slip away, splitting the series. The Eagles pushed their overall record to 23-19 and 6-13 in conference play.
Below is a recap of all games played:
Game 1
Win- 8-5
Utah State Eastern captured the lead in the second inning when Kaden Kunz homered on a 3-2 count, scoring two runs.
Utah State Eastern took the lead for good with two runs in the third inning. In the third Clifford Brown induced Parker Applegate to hit into a fielder’s choice, but one run scored.
Karter Pope pitched Eastern to victory. The right hander allowed six hits and three runs over five innings, striking out nine. Kody Nelson threw four innings in relief out of the bullpen. Nelson recorded the last 12 outs to earn the save for Utah State Eastern. Brown took the loss for Colorado Northwestern.
Utah State Eastern smacked three home runs on the day. Dylan Rodriguez went for the long ball in the second inning. Dylan Sanchez put one out in the fifth inning. Kunz had a four bagger in the second inning. Eastern collected nine hits. Dawsen Hall and Ryder Peterson all managed multiple hits for Utah State Eastern. Peterson and Hall all had two hits to lead Utah State Eastern.
Game 2
Loss- 5-1
Utah State Eastern watched the game slip away early and couldn’t recover in a 5-1 loss to Colorado Northwestern on Friday. Colorado Northwestern scored on a double by Abraham Arroyo and a single by Shuta Araki in the second inning.
Parker Buys took the loss for Utah State Eastern. The right hander lasted seven innings, allowing six hits and five runs while striking out 14.
Dylan Rodriguez and Ethan Udy each managed one hit to lead Utah State Eastern.
Game 3
Loss- 3-1
Friday’s game against Colorado Northwestern was a heartbreaker for Utah State Eastern, as they lost the lead late in a 3-1 defeat.
The game was tied at one with Colorado Northwestern batting in the top of the sixth when an error scored one run for Colorado Northwestern.
The pitching was strong on both sides. Colorado Northwestern pitchers struck out eight, while Utah State Eastern sat down ten.
Utah State Eastern knotted the game up at one in the bottom of the fifth inning, when an error scored one run for Utah State Eastern.
Hayden Brock took the loss for Utah State Eastern. Brock surrendered three runs on zero hits over seven innings, striking out ten.
Parker Applegate led Utah State Eastern with two hits in three at bats.
Game 4
Win- 13-6
Utah State Eastern defeated Colorado Northwestern 13-6 on Saturday.
The base paths were crowded in this high-scoring game. Utah State Eastern collected 11 hits and Colorado Northwestern had ten.
Utah State Eastern opened up scoring in the second inning when Dylan Rodriguez drew a walk, scoring one run.Utah State Eastern took the lead for good with three runs in the third inning. In the third Max Nichols homered on a 1-1 count, scoring three runs.
Mason Nielson got the win for Utah State Eastern. The righty lasted four innings, allowing four hits and zero runs while striking out one. Gabe Lundbeck and Kaden Stewart entered the game out of the bullpen and helped to close out the game in relief. Riley Ashton started the game for Utah State Eastern. The pitcher surrendered six runs on six hits over three innings, striking out three and walking one
Eastern smacked two home runs on the day. Nichols had a homer in the third inning. Dawsen Hall went yard in the second inning. Eastern scattered 11 hits in the game. Dylan Sanchez, Nichols, and Kaden Kunz all managed multiple hits for Utah State Eastern. Kunz, Nichols, and Sanchez each collected two hits to lead Utah State Eastern.
Up next for the Eagles is a weekend series with the Salt Lake Community College Bruins. Games will start Thursday at Carlson-Colosimo Field at 3 pm.