ST. GEORGE, Utah — A pair of home runs and a late push were not enough for Seattle U baseball (13-27, 7-18) on Friday as it fell short, 6-3, in Western Athletic Conference action to Dixie State (16-30, 14-15).
Trailing 2-0 in the third, Trevor Antonson put Seattle U on the board with a one-out blast over the left field fence, as he registered his second home run of the season. Gavin Rork then worked his way around to tie the game at 2-2.
Rork reached on a base knock to left-center before taking his league-best 16th steal of the year and moved to second. He then advanced 90 feet during Kyle Sherick's at bat, Rork eventually scored on a wild pitch.
After being held scoreless in the fourth and fifth, the Redhawks again went to the long ball, as Justin Mazzone launched a lead-off shot to begin the sixth, trimming the deficit the 5-3.
The solo home run was the senior's seventh of the season and 16th in a Seattle U jersey, moving him past Josh Kalalu for sole possession of second-overall on Redhawks' current career list.
From there, the Seattle U offense stalled as the Redhawks had one hit in 14 plate appearance over the last three innings. Shane Jamison accounted for the lone knock with a single in the eighth.
Despite the cold bats, the Redhawks threatened the Dixie State advantage in the ninth as it loaded the bases late.
The pushback began with Kai Alberghini reaching on a lead-off a Dixie State fielding error, before retiring the next two batters. Rork then drew a walk, while pinch-hitter Grant Heiser was plunked to fill the base path. The rally however was stopped as Mazzone was unable to hold his swing after fouling off the first two pitches.
On the mound, Seattle U starter Morgan White put together a quality outing and showed flashes of dominance, despite suffering the loss. The right-hander tossed six innings, working efficiently with an 11-pitch first, nine-pitch fourth and seven-pitch frame in the sixth, as he retired the Trailblazer order in each.
White however hit a road bump in the second, allowing Dixie State to take a 2-0 leading in the second, but limited the damage as he left three Trailblazers stranded. He then surrendered three runs on three hits over the course of the next three innings.
Ethan Brown and Brady Liddle then made relief appearances. Brown threw one inning, allowing one run, one hit with two strikeouts; while Liddle worked one inning with one hit and one strikeout.
At the plate, Rork registered his 11th multi-hit game of the season with a 3-for-4 outing. Connor O'Brien singled in the second and fourth to finish 2-for-4 on the day. Collectively, the Redhawks were edge out, 9-8, in the hit column and left nine runners on base.
Seattle U resumes the series tomorrow with a scheduled doubleheader against Dixie State. First pitch is slated for 1 pm PT.