Kyle McDonald, Sports Writer, @kylesportsbias
Photo Credit: Gabi Campbell | @gabicampbellphotos
OREM, Utah — UVU right fielder Mark Krueger collected four hits including three doubles but it wasn’t enough as the Saint Mary’s Gaels won the Sunday afternoon finale 18-9.
The Gaels (10-6) scored in five of the nine innings, including the first three and led 11-1 after three innings. They would tack on three more runs in the eighth inning and three more in the ninth to take an 18-3 lead. The Wolverines (3-11) scored would score two runs in the eighth and six in the ninth that cut the lead to 18-9 but that was as close as they would get.
UVU collected 16 hits on the day. Kade Andrus, Craig Brinkerhoff, Kody Moon, and Zac Fuller each collected two hits apiece to go along with the four hits from Krueger. Moon also drove in three runs for the Wolverines.
The Gaels finished with 27 hits including five by left fielder Connor Hornsby. They were also led by first baseman Collin Ferguson who reached base six times and drove in four runs including a three-run home run in the top of the second inning.
UVU starter Patrick Wolfe lasted just one inning as he gave up five runs (four earned), five hits, and one walk. Freshman Hunter Smith and Junior Braden Poole provided some much-needed relief as they combined to pitch 2.1 innings without giving up a run and struck out five combined.
Cameron Neff picked up the win for Saint Mary’s as he struck out nine hitters and only gave up one run on six hits in six innings of work.
UVU will look to bounce back on Tuesday night as they face crosstown rival BYU at Brent Brown Ballpark in Orem. First pitch is schedule for 6 pm MT.
