Utah Tech University athletics were led by several record-breaking performances on the track, along with other career-bests on the basketball court.
Softball
The Trailblazers dropped their finale in the Easton Classic to host California State University, Fullerton 8-0. Over the course of the tournament, four Trailblazers hit over .500 with junior Sadie Gardner leading the way, hitting .667 for the tournament.
The Trailblazers then traveled to Honolulu Feb. 13 for the Hawaii Spring Fling Tournament. The tournament started with a loss as they fell to Sacramento State University 11-10 in extra innings. Senior Marisa Rubio went 4-4 while driving in a career-best 4 RBIs.
Despite the close loss on day one of the tournament, the Trailblazers rebounded on day two of the tournament, beating Western Illinois University 9-4. The Trailblazers totaled 12 hits including four extra-base hits going into the nightcap against Hawaii University.
In their second game of the day, the Trailblazers fell 3-2 to Hawaii despite the Trailblazers outhitting Hawaii 8-3. Junior Baylee Howley matched her season-high with three hits while five other Trailblazers also tallied a hit.
Day three of the tournament saw the team split their games, losing to California State University, Bakersfield 10-6 before beating Sacramento State 6-2.
Men’s basketball
Utah Tech men’s basketball traveled to the America First Event Center in Cedar City to face Southern Utah University in a rivalry game that came down to the wire. SUU came away with a narrow 76-74 victory as Southern Utah’s Jeffrey Langston Jr. scored on a tip-in with 1.8 seconds remaining to give the T-Birds the win.
Freshman guard Madiba Owona led the way for Utah Tech with a season-high 22 points. Seniors Beon Riley and Noa Gonsalves also got into double figures with 17 and 13 points respectively.
The Trailblazers then traveled to face California Baptist University, losing another close game 86-83. Owona led the team in scoring again while four other players finished with double figures.
“We had chances and on the road, that is all you can ask for,” head coach Jon Judkins said. “It hurts because we had a one-point lead, but I thought we got better and there are things to learn from. I thought this week we got better and we have to learn how to finish games.”
Utah Tech will return home to face Utah Valley University at the Burns Arena Feb. 20.
Women’s basketball
Women’s basketball also dropped a close game to SUU Feb. 13 losing 69-66 at home. Freshman Ellie Taylor led all scorers with 21 points on 8-12 shooting.
The Trailblazers then went on the road to play California Baptist University Feb. 15 losing 81-75. Redshirt senior Emily Isaacson led all scorers with 27 points while going 5-8 from beyond the arc.
The Trailblazers will stay on the road as they travel to play Utah Valley University Feb. 19.
Baseball
The Trailblazers played Northern Colorado University three times in the week, winning two of the three games. The Trailblazers won the first game Feb. 14, 7-5. The Trailblazer offense struck early thanks to a two-run home run by Finnegan Stewart in the third inning.
In a Saturday doubleheader Feb. 15, Utah Tech lost 9-8 before winning 5-4 after rallying late to win.
In the last game of the series against NCU, UT fell 5-4 after a 9th-inning rally by the Bears gave them the win.
The Trailblazers will be back in action in a series against the University of California, Riverside starting Feb. 21.
Women’s track and field
On day one of the Mountain State Games in Pocatello, Idaho, the Trailblazers set a program record after 12 athletes qualified for event finals. Sophomore Whitney Christiansen set a program record in the 200m with a time of 25:12.
Women’s tennis
Women’s tennis came up short, losing 5-2 at the Frank and Vicki Fertitta Tennis Complex in Las Vegas.
“The team played well today,” head coach Eric Pelton said. “We had a lot of close matches and picked up some good wins.”
On Feb. 15, the Trailblazers lost to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas 7-0.
Closing out their weekend in Las Vegas, they lost 5-2 to the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Junior Raquel Roshak won her first match of the season, winning 7-6 and 6-4.
To find the schedule for Utah Tech athletics, click here.
