Wolverines strike out 10 times in loss
Kyle McDonald, Sports Writer, @kylesportsbias
The home opener is supposed to be filled with excitement, intensity, and a greater desire to beat the opponent you’re up against. On Friday March 6, 2015 at Brent Brown Ballpark in Orem, Utah that wasn’t the case. The UVU baseball team came out flat and lacked a competitiveness in an 11-1 loss to the St. Mary’s Gaels.
Gaels starting pitcher Corbin Burnes dominated the Wolverines as he only allowed three hits, struck out eight batters, and allowed two walks in six innings of work. The Gaels provided plenty of offense for Burnes as they scored four runs in the third and fourth innings and two more runs in the fifth inning. St. Mary’s collected 15 hits on the night and shortstop Brett Rasso had three of those hits. The Gaels also had four extra base hits including a triple by right fielder Anthony Gonsolin that scored two runs.
UVU starter Danny Beddes was roughed up on the mound. He lasted only three innings, giving up five runs on six hits and five walks. Jake Mayer didn’t fare much better as in the one inning that he pitched he gave up four runs on three hits and two walks and didn’t strike a batter out.
The lone run that UVU would put on the board came in the 8th inning when freshman catcher Kody Moon singled to right field to score Seth Rhineer who had walked earlier in the inning.
UVU collected only six hits in the entire game and Head Coach Eric Madsen wasn’t pleased with his team’s performance in their home opener. “Our guys have to recognize and buy in to what we’re trying to accomplish and show some competitiveness,” said Madsen. “It’s embarrassing to go out and play like that in our home opener where another team controls you the entire night. But give credit to Saint Mary’s, they came to the park ready to play.”
UVU will look to bounce back on Saturday afternoon as they will take on the Gaels in a doubleheader starting at noon MT.
