University of Northern Colorado Athletics
Baseball falls short at Dixie State in first game of the series
5/20/2021 9:32:00 PM | Baseball
Head coach Carl Iwasaki's crew wasted little time applying the pressure on the Trailblazers.
Garrett Fisher's single got things started for the Bears in the top of the first. Though he'd be forced out at second on fielder's choice, Matt Burkart eventually batted in Sam Leach to give the Bears the lead.
Fueled by the early offensive effort, starting pitcher Dylan Bowers settled right into his groove. Northern Colorado's big right-hander cruised through the first two innings.Top 1 | That's how you kick off the game! @matt__burkart with an RBI single!
— UNC Baseball (@UNC_BearsBSB) May 21, 2021
UNC - 1
DSU - 0#BearsStrong #WACbsb pic.twitter.com/ka8eNuEBw1
Even in the third when Dixie State loaded the bases, Bowers buckled down, racking up two straight strikeouts and a pop-out to end the threat.BOT 2 | @yahboydylan is officially cooking 🔥🔥🔥
— UNC Baseball (@UNC_BearsBSB) May 21, 2021
UNC - 1
DSU - 0#BearsStrong #WACbsb pic.twitter.com/B6xPszmE8A
The home side finally cracked the Colorado native in the fourth inning. Two runs on a pair of hits gave the Trailblazers the lead back.
When Logan Chase replaces Bowers in the fifth, DSU flexed for two more to take a three-run lead, 4-1.
In the seventh, Hayden Heinze did his best to get the Bears back on the board. A leadoff double eventually gave him the opportunity to scamper home on a passed ball, clawing UNC within two.
The Dixie State faithful might've thought they'd earn some insurance in the bottom end of the seventh but Austin Bergdahl delivered two clutch strikeouts to shut the door.TOP 7 | @hheinze57 trying to make things happen with a one-out double!
— UNC Baseball (@UNC_BearsBSB) May 21, 2021
UNC - 1
DSU - 4#BearsStrong #WACbsb pic.twitter.com/kmXTq19ksl
With a bit of momentum, Northern Colorado eyed an opportunity to close the gap even further. Hits from Josh Glenn, Ben McKay, and Billy Moreland eventually brought Matt Burkart across the plate.
Suddenly, UNC was only one run behind with two innings to play.
A long ball in the bottom of the eighth changed all of that. The Trailblazers found the insurance they were looking for, closed out the Bears in the ninth and headed home with the 6-3 victory.
Game Notes
- Garrett Fisher continues to play well in the second spot, going 2-3 with two walks on the evening.
- Hayden Heinze bagged his fifth double of the season.
- Dylan Bowers added six strikeouts to his team-leading total.
- Austin Bergdahl pitched a solid seventh inning, striking out two while blanking Dixie State in the half-inning.
- Matt Burkart secured his 29th RBI of 2021.
What's Ahead
With an eye on the series between Utah Valley and Seattle, Northern Colorado and Dixie State are set for two more matchups on Friday.
To stay up to date on all things UNC baseball, visit UNCBears.com and follow the team on Facebook and Twitter.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Holliday, Dillon (5-2)
L: Bowers, Dylan (2-5)
S: Gonzales, Jack (2)

Batting:
2B: Heinze, Hayden 1
RBI: Burkart, Matt 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Leach, Sam 1 ; Burkart, Matt 1 ; Heinze, Hayden 1

Batting:
2B: Hollow, Kaden 1
HR: Pritchard, Lane 1 ; Fisher, Tyson 1
RBI: Taylor, Shane 1 ; Pritchard, Lane 2 ; Fisher, Tyson 2 ; Ivancich, Mathew 1
SH: Taylor, Shane 2
Base Running:
RUNS: Engel, Jake 1 ; Pritchard, Lane 1 ; Hollow, Kaden 1 ; Fisher, Tyson 2 ; Ivancich, Mathew 1
SB: Engel, Jake 1 ; Fisher, Tyson 1
HBP: Leavitt, Jagun 1