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SALT LAKE CITY — Utah baseball claimed at least a share of the Pac-12 title Saturday, beating the Washington Huskies 12-8 following a big seventh-inning rally.
Facing an 8-5 deficit in the bottom of the seventh, Utah managed seven runs to take the lead over the Huskies. Washington was forced to burn through its bullpen, replacing three pitchers in the inning.
“That’s the way this team has been working the whole year. It didn’t surprise me, but I’m not surprised at what happened,” Utah coach Bill Kinneberg said.
Utah started the inning off with Kody Davis advancing to first base after being hit by a pitch, followed by a Cody Scaggari double to left field. Scaggari managed to get a third base on an error as Davis scored. Dallas Carroll, too, was hit by a pitch, putting two Utes on first and third base.
Facing a full count, Kellen Marruffo struck out looking, giving Utah its second out of the inning. But Hunter Simmons hit a single down the third-base line to send Scaggari home and Carroll to third base. Andre Jackson then hit a single to right field to send Carroll home. With Josh Rose being walked the next at-bat, Utah had the bases loaded before A.J. Young singled to right center, sending Jackson and Simmons home for two more runs.
The ensuing at-bat, Davis walked on four straight balls, with DeShawn Keirsey hitting a two-run RBI double the next at-bat to cap off a seven-run inning and ultimately the game.
Washington started out the game strong in the first inning, with a quick two runs after John Naff hit a shot down the left field line for a double, sending Chris Baker and Jack Meggs home for two runs. Utah, however, managed two runs in the first inning as well, with Keirsey and Scaggari scoring.
Utah also had a strong fourth inning with Josh Rose hitting a solo home run over the right field fence, followed by DeShawn Keirsey who hit a two-run infield home run shot to center field after the center fielder slipped on the attempt.
With a win Saturday, Utah won at least a share of the Pac-12 title. Utah has one more game left in the regular season against Washington. If Utah wins the last game, the Utes will be the outright Pac-12 champion and will earn an at-large bid to the NCAA tournament; however, Washington would earn an at-large bid if they win Sunday.
“I want this group to play in a regional; that would be the ultimate present for them now,” Kinneberg said. “It was an unbelievable job, unbelievable way to end the day today. What was really neat is the guys didn’t dogpile. All they were saying was one more game. That kind of tells you where their minds are. They want to go to regionals. I just hope that we play great tomorrow and that happens for them.”
“We’re very excited to come out here and compete and finish on top of the Pac-12, coming from the bottom basically,” Keirsey said. “Tomorrow is a big day and we’re not satisfied yet. It was a big win, but we don’t want to celebrate right now.”
Utah will play Washington Sunday at 12 p.m. at Smith’s Ballpark in Salt Lake City for the final game of the three-game series.
