Utah overcomes early deficit to beat Cal Poly in series opener

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah scored in six straight innings to turn a 2-0 deficit at Cal Poly into an 18-6 victory in the opener of a three-game nonconference baseball series Friday night at Smith’s Ballpark.

Giving up season highs for runs (18) and hits (22) in a game, Cal Poly fell to 16-31 on the year. Utah improved to 21-27-1.

Cal Poly jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning as Jake Steels doubled and Ryan Fenn single before Aaron Casillas scored both two-kicks from the middle.

Mustang junior right-handed Bryce Warrecker retired the first six Utah batters of the game before the Utes erupted for 16 runs over the next four innings en route to their fourth win in 13 games against Cal Poly.

Cal Poly cut a 12-2 deficit with two runs in the sixth on a one-run scoring run. Tate Shimao and an RBI triple Taison Corio and added a single run in the seventh (RBI double Ryan Stafford) and the eighth (home run by Corio alone) frames.

Bryson Van Sickle (3-5) earned the win, allowing four runs and nine hits over six innings with one walk and seven strikeouts. Bransen Kuehl earned the three-inning save after giving up two runs and three hits.

Warrecker (3-5) was blamed for the loss, giving up seven runs and six hits over 3 2/3 innings with two walks and a pair of strikeouts.

Kaden Sheedy, Freddy Rodriguez, Evan Tomlinson and Holden Garcia also for Mustangs.

Cal Poly’s 12 hits included a triple and home run by Corio (fifth of the year), a single and a double by Steels and two singles by Fenn, raising his average to .354.

Utah was paced offensively by center fielder Kai Roberts with a double and a single with five RBI. Catcher Davis Cop (home run, double and single) and first baseman Jayden Kiernan (three singles) each drove in three runs, third baseman Jake Gish (home run and two singles) added one RBI and shortstop Matt Flaherty (three). singles) also had three hits.

Cal Poly is now 4-16 in games where it scores first. Every starter on both teams collected at least one hit.

Game 2 of the series is Saturday at 1 p.m. PDT with Cal Poly’s sophomore right-hander. Steven Brooks (4-1, 5.68 ERA) will face Utah freshman righty Merit Jones (2-3, 7.69 ERA).

Sunday’s series finale begins at PDT.

Photos: Bryan Byerly| Utah Athletics