Ute Baseball Defeats Missouri State, 4-1

Friday, February 24

College Station, Texas

12:00 PM

University of Utah

5-5

Missouri State

0-1

Missouri State

Utah

2/24/2006 12:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

Feb. 24, 2006

Box Score

COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The University of Utah baseball team evened its record at 5-5 Friday afternoon. The Utes took a 4-1 victory over Missouri State University at the Domino's Pizza Aggie Classic at Olsen Field at Texas A&M University.

Utah starting pitcher Josh Cooper (Sr., Pueblo, Colo.) worked eight strong innings, allowing just one run. Cooper (2-1) struck out five, allowing just one run. Reliever Brad DeVore (Fr., Scottsdale, Ariz.) pitched a perfect ninth to pick up his second save of the season. Combined, Cooper and DeVore allowed just one Bear baserunner to advance beyond second base.

"Cooper pitched really well and we played great defense," Utah head coach Bill Kinneberg said. "Offensively, we chipped away at them and scored enough runs to get the win."

Offensively, Ute designated hitter Bret Baldwin (So, West Jordan, Utah) was 2-for-2 and reached base in all four of his plate appearances. Right fielder Scott Malone (Jr., Paradise, Calif.) went 3-for-4, including a two-run home run, with two runs scored and two RBIs.

The Utes grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third. Catcher Adam Frank (Sr., Paul, Idaho) led off with a double. Baldwin later ripped a two-out RBI double, pushing Frank across the plate. Utah upped its advantage to 2-0 in the fourth. The Utes loaded the bases, before Frank came through with a sacrifice fly, scoring Malone.

Missouri State pulled within one run in the top of the fifth. Jake Hilgendorf reached on a fielder's choice and later stole second. The Bears pulled within one run, 2-1, when Tanner Mattson singled to score Hilgendorf.

Utah got all the insurance Cooper and DeVore would need in the bottom of the fifth. Baldwin walked to lead off the inning. One out later, Malone ripped his second home run of the season. Malone's round-tripper gave Utah a three-run advantage, 4-1.

"It was good to start with a win," Kinneberg said. "We've got Texas A&M Saturday. Hopefully, we'll have some confidence going into that one."

Missouri State fell to 0-1 on the season. Bears starter Brett Sinkbeil (0-1) was the losing pitcher, allowing four earned runs in six innings pitched.

-UU-