Leach's complete game shutout lifts Bears over Utah Valley

Friday, March 26

Greeley, CO

Noon MT

University of Northern Colorado

5-15, 0

Utah Valley University

2-15, 0

Utah Valley

Northern Colorado

3/26/2021 2:53:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score

By: By Thomas Hoffman, UNCBears.com

GREELEY, Colo. – Back in the friendly confines of Jackson Stadium, Northern Colorado Baseball rode the hot hand of Sam Leach as his second complete game of the season propelled the Bears to a 10-0 victory over Utah Valley.

Both Jake Gitter and Matt Burkart entered the weekend with WAC-leading six home runs. In the bottom of the third inning, Gitter wasn't satisfied with the tie and launched his seventh long-ball of the season.

B3 | That one is gone!! @jakegitter gives the Bears the lead!!

UNC - 1
UVU - 0 #BearsStrong #WACbsb pic.twitter.com/SesT61Qktg
— UNC Baseball (@UNC_BearsBSB) March 26, 2021

Two batters later, the conference's RBI-king Josh Glenn was presented with another opportunity with Sam Leach standing on second. Glenn promptly delivered a double, extending UNC's lead to two.

T5 | @joshglenn28 again!!!

UNC - 4
UVU - 0 #BearsStrong #WACbsb pic.twitter.com/7s44eRr2ab
— UNC Baseball (@UNC_BearsBSB) March 26, 2021

Northern Colorado's iron man Sam Leach earned the Friday start and didn't disappoint. The Seattle, Washington native pitched allowed just two hits and walked one in the complete game shutout.

The Bears broke the game open in the bottom of the fifth.

Sam Leach's RBI-single extended his hit streak to 17 games and Glenn continued to stack up the RBI with a second double of the afternoon as four runs crossed the plate on four hits and an error in the inning.

With Shaydon Kubo aboard an inning later, Ben McKay felt a six-run lead might not have been enough. Lasering his third home run of the season, McKay stretched the lead to eight as the Bears took full control of Friday's contest.

B6 | Outta here in a hurry!! McKay with his 3rd dinger of the season!!

UNC - 8
UVU - 0 #BearsStrong #WACbsb pic.twitter.com/u7jY26JKV9
— UNC Baseball (@UNC_BearsBSB) March 26, 2021

Breaking up Leach's no-hitter in the seventh, Utah Valley threatened to break its scoring drought with a runner standing on third. Leach's defense flexed its muscles once more, dialing up a second double-play of the afternoon to keep the shutout going.

The Bears capitalized on a few Wolverine mistakes in the bottom half and with Leach blanking UVU in the eighth, he sealed the deal himself with an RBI-single to make it a complete game victory, 10-0.

What they Said
Sam Leach, Starting Pitcher

Game Notes
- Jake Gitter Launched his WAC-leading seventh home run of the season.
- Josh Glenn added a 23rd and 24th RBI to his conference-leading total
- Ben McKay collected his third home run of the season.
- Sam Leach notched his second complete game of the season, this one a 10-0 shutout.
- Leach also extended his hit streak to 17 games, finishing 3-4 with two runs, two RBI and a walk.

What's Ahead
Northern Colorado and Utah Valley will go twice tomorrow for the second and third games of the series. Saturday's doubleheader begins at noon MT.

To stay up to date on all things UNC baseball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook and Twitter.