The Utah Utes baseball team couldn't quite put it together against Arizona State, dropping the middle game of their series 7-3. According to UtahUtes.com, Utah's overall record slides to 13-12, with a 2-6 mark in the Big 12. The teams are set to close out their series Sunday afternoon at Smith's Ballpark.
Offensive highlights for the Utes included efforts from Jack Kleveno, who went 2-for-3, including a leadoff double, and Core Jackson, with Cameron Gurney, who both went 2-for-5. Jackson also notably extended his hitting streak to eight straight games. Despite these performances, Utah couldn't overcome early errors and a significant 7-1 deficit by the third inning.
On the mound, Dylan Gazaway showed some prowess by dealing 5.2 shutout innings from the bullpen, which included holding the Sun Devils to only five hits and striking out five. "Gazaway fielded a grounder back to the mound and started a 1-2-3 double play to get out of the inning," reported UtahUtes.com on his efforts during a critical fourth inning, bases-loaded scenario. However, the initial damage was done, and Utah's starter Merit Jones took the loss, moving to a 2-3 record for the season.
The game's pace picked up by the middle innings with Gazaway managing to retire ASU in order in the seventh. Unfortunately, the run margin remained the same, and Mateus Conaway was brought in to quietly close out the ninth inning, retiring the lone batter he faced. The night, overall, was an opportunity missed for the Utes to gain ground in the Big 12.
