The Utah baseball team defeated No. 18-ranked Arizona State by a score of 10-4 on April 11 at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
This win is significant for Utah (17-13, 6-7 Big 12) as it came against a nationally ranked opponent and sets the tone for the remainder of the series.
Jack Kleveno hit his first home run of the season, a three-run shot in the fifth inning that helped extend Utah’s lead at a key moment. Kleveno finished with four runs batted in, walked twice, was hit by a pitch, and had a sacrifice bunt. Jake Long contributed with four hits in six at-bats including a double and has now recorded hits in 23 of Utah’s last 24 games. Cal Miller also played an important role, going three-for-four with two runs scored.
Arizona State took an early lead when Landon Hairston doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly in the first inning. However, Utah responded quickly with three runs in the second inning after Kleveno drew a bases-loaded walk to tie the game and Long drove in two more runs with his second hit of the night.
Utah broke open the game with four runs in the fifth inning, highlighted by Matt Flaharty’s RBI single followed by Kleveno’s home run that gave Utah a six-run advantage. Although ASU answered back with three runs off Hairston’s home run later that inning, strong defensive plays such as Zakye Hawkins’ double play helped preserve Utah’s lead.
Relief pitchers Demitri Diamant and Dylan Gazaway were effective out of the bullpen; Gazaway pitched over two innings without allowing any hits or runs to close out the game. Justin Abercrombie recorded the final outs for Utah.
Utah will continue its series against Arizona State on Saturday evening at Phoenix Municipal Stadium.
