Baseball Sweeps New Mexico State

Friday, January 29

Las Cruces, NM

TBA

University of Utah

New Mexico St

6/21/1999 12:00 AM | Baseball

January 31, 1999

Las Cruces, N.M. - The Utah baseball team swept New Mexico State in a four game series. The Utes defeated the Aggies 6-3, 4-2, 7-3 and 10-4. The string brings Utah to a 4-3 season record.

In the opener, pitcher Troy Beckman (1-1) picked up his first win of the season in a nine inning game. The senior gave up six hits and struck out seven batters. Senior Ryan Hilts was 2-4, including a double and two stolen bases. Junior Sam Swenson was 2-4, scoring three runs and stealing one base. The Utes had six runs on eight hits and two errors.

In game two, Utah pummeled the ball as five of the Utes six hits were doubles. The Utes jumped out to a good lead in the top of the second when Swenson and Jamie Hardy both walked. Hilts drove both runners home with his first of two doubles giving Utah a 2-1 lead. Hilts also tallied three stolen bases. Catcher Jared Larsen hit one double and one single and stole one base. Junior Brandon Page (1-0) pitched 7.2 innings of an eight hit game to pick up the victory. He yielded eight hits and struck out a pair of batters. Freshman Ryan Bailey picked up the save pitching one inning of scoreless relief. Utah had four runs on six hits with no errors.

In the third game, right fielder Mike Wood was 2-3, hitting two doubles. Brett McDermaid (1-1) pitched seven innings giving up seven hits and posting six strikeouts. The Utes had seven runs on nine hits with no errors.

In the last game, Utah dominated at the plate hitting two home runs and four doubles. Larsen was 2-5 hitting his first home run of the season and scoring four RBIs. Freshman Nate Weese hit his first home run of his college career as Utah's designated hitter. Wood was 2-4, hitting two doubles and Ryan Johnerson was 3-6, hitting two doubles and stealing two bases. Lance Erickson started on the mound for the Utes pitching six innings. The senior pitched seven hits, three walks and five strikeouts. David Norton (1-0) claimed the win pitching 2.2 innings. He gave up one run from one hit. Bailey added a second save pitching another scoreless inning. Overall, Utah had 10 runs on 14 hits with two errors.