MacIver Blast Lifts UW To Sweep Of Utah

Sunday, March 19

Seattle, Wash.

2:00 PM

University of Washington

12-6, 0

Utah

9-8, 0

Utah

Washington

March 19, 2017 | Baseball

Box Score Box: UW 4, Utah 1 Game Gallery Watch: Highlights Watch: Willie MacIver Postgame

By: Brian Tom

SEATTLE – The No. 23 Washington Huskies (12-6, 3-0 Pac-12) scored three times in the seventh inning – the big blow a two-run Willie MacIver home run – to rally for a 4-1 win and complete a three-game sweep of visiting Utah Sunday at Husky Ballpark.

It marks the first time since the Huskies took all three games at Washington State in 2007 that they have started Pac-12 play with a sweep.

MacIver's blast broke the rhythm of Utah (9-8, 0-3) starter Josh Lapiana, who entered the seventh inning having thrown two-hit, scoreless ball.

MJ Hubbs started the rally with a lead-off single and was standing at third two outs later when pinch-hitter Josh Cushing smashed a ball to All-Conference third baseman Dallas Carroll. The Utes' senior dropped the ball, giving Cushing just enough time to beat the throw to first and tie things up at 1-1.

MacIver was next up and took a 2-0 pitch from Lapiana (1-3) the opposite way and over the right-field wall for a dramatic home run. It was the first of the sophomore third baseman's career.

"He was pitching us backwards all day and I was sitting on that changeup and my goal was to stay back on it," MacIver said. "He threw one up and I got a good swing on it."

Clutch in his genes! This Willie MacIver dinger ends up being the winner and the @OpusBank #12Best Moment! https://t.co/gz0qKYH50g
— Pac-12 Network (@Pac12Network) March 20, 2017

Utah grabbed the lead in the fourth inning on a solo home run by Carroll off of UW starter Joe DeMers. The Utes looked to add to their lead and loaded the bases after the homer, but DeMers struck out Alex Isola – one of his five K's on the day – to get out of the jam.

DeMers would get out of another bases-loaded jam in the fifth and retired the Utes in order in the sixth, but with his pitch count just over 100, his day was done after six innings. He gave up six hits and a season-high four walks, but was able to strand seven runners while on the hill to keep the game close.

In all, Utah stranded 11 on base and were 0-for-7 with runners in scoring positon.

Washington added an insurance run in the eighth on a Nick Kahle infield single with two outs that send Jack Meggs home from third.

The extra run came in handy as Utah did not go down without a fight in the ninth. Carroll came up representing the tying run but reliever Alex Hardy got him to ground into a fielder's choice to end the game.

Hardy (5-0) picked up his second win in as many days, throwing 2 1/3 innings of relief, and capped a perfect weekend for the Huskies' bullpen which threw 18 scoreless innings in the three-game sweep.

The Huskies head to Spokane for two games against Gonzaga this week on Tuesday and Wednesday before heading to Eugene to resume Pac-12 play and face Oregon. The Huskies and Ducks play next Friday and Saturday at 7 pm and wrap up the series Sunday with a 2 pm finale.