Huskies overpower Wolverines

Former Major League Baseball great Ernie Banks once said, "It's a nice day, let's play two." Yesterday's was nothing short of a miserable weather, as frigid winds were constant throughout the afternoon and into the evening.

Nevertheless, the Washington baseball team and Utah Valley State College played two. For the UW (16-10), the results of the double-header made up for the lousy weather, as they captured the first game 3-1 and the nightcap 11-1.

The sweep was satisfying, "especially considering the weather," as freshman second baseman Kiel Lillibridge explained.

In the second game, the Huskies used a seven-run fifth inning to take control of the contest. Junior shortstop Brent Lillibridge led off the inning and reached on an error.

Junior leftfielder Zach Clem followed with a perfectly executed hit-and-run, lacing a liner to right.

With runners at the corners, senior first baseman Kyle Larsen doubled down the left field line, scoring both runners. After two outs and a hit, Kiel delivered an RBI single in his first collegiate start.

A walk loaded the bases for senior right fielder Taylor Johnson, who took full advantage of the situation. He doubled to the left-center alley, bringing home all three runners and busting the game wide open.

"The guys who were supposed to step up did," said Kiel about the slow start. "We got a talking to between games."

The Wolverines (9-20) never mounted a rally as Husky starter Brandon McKerney (2-0) dominated UVSC, blanking them over six innings and allowing just one hit. The Wolverines were able to scratch out just one run in the game.

Game one was highlighted by a pitcher's dual between the UW's senior David Dowling and UVSC's Kam Mickolio. Dowling (3-0) got the best of Mickolio (2-4), however, as he allowed just three hits and one run -- which was unearned -- over six and two-thirds innings.

"I located my fastball real well and my changeup," said Dowling, who threw just one breaking ball in the game. "They had one lefty in the lineup," he said, explaining how his fastball and change were effective enough to retire the right-handed batters.

The Wolverine starter surrendered just one earned run, but an error in the first inning proved to be costly.

After third baseman Reno Mendenhall bounced a throw to first for an error, Larsen delivered a monstrous home run to right field to put the Huskies ahead 2-0. The two-run blast easily cleared the wall and had to cut through the gusting winds that were blowing in.

UVSC halved the lead in the fifth, but the Huskies quickly reclaimed their two-run advantage in the sixth, scoring their third run of the game.

Senior reliever Josh Conover worked the final two and a third innings to pick up his third save.

The teams conclude their three-game series today at 1 p.m.