Utah Utes campus briefs

BASEBALL: A four-run sixth inning lifted the Southern Utah baseball team to an 8-7 victory over Utah on Tuesday evening in Cedar City.

The two teams combined for seven runs in the sixth inning. Utah took a 6-4 lead in the top of the inning, scoring three runs. Cooper Blanc had a two-run triple to deep center field while Tyler Yagi hit an RBI double down the left-field line that landed just fair to put the Utes ahead.

However, Southern Utah rallied in the bottom of the inning with four runs on five hits. Joe Goldenberg knocked in the go-ahead runs for the Thunderbirds on a two-run double to left center field, giving SUU an 8-6 lead.

Utah attempted to rally in the ninth inning, as Rick Cornu and Nick Kuroczko had back-to-back singles to lead off the inning. Cornu scored when C.J. Cron grounded out, but a pair of fly ball outs ended the game.

Cornu went 3-for-4 in the contest to lead the Utes. Blanc drove in three runs on the day, while Yagi had two RBIs.

Utah starter Andrew Wilding had a season-high eight strikeouts in the loss, but allowed seven runs (five earned) on 12 hits. Tyler Wagner pitched the final 21/3 innings, allowing one run and earning the loss.

The Utes return to action on Thursday, beginning a three-game series against in-state rival Brigham Young University in Provo at 6:30 p.m.