Zinicola Has a Big Night at Utah

Wednesday, March 20

Salt Lake City, Utah

4 p.m.

University of Northern Colorado

0-21

Utah

14-6

Northern Colorado

UTAH

3/20/2024 9:23:00 PM | Baseball

Box Score Final Box Score Season Stats

By: Michael High, Assistant Director for Strategic Communications

SALT LAKE CITY – Northern Colorado dropped a hard-fought extra-inning affair against Utah (14-6) at Smith's Ballpark Wednesday.

Zain Zinicola registered a career night in the Bears 7-6, 12-inning setback. He went 4-for-5 at the plate, including his team-leading third triple, with three runs scored. He recorded a career-high six total bases.

UNC (0-21) tallied 13 hits, the second-highest total this season.

Caden Wagner posted a 3-for-6 performance, including a double, with three runs-batted-in. Jackson Meier tallied two hits in four at-bats, with an RBI. Brandon Sanchez, Garrett Fisher, Jake King and Brandon Stricklin notched a knock each.

The Bears grabbed a 2-1 advantage on a one-out double down the left field wall by Wagner, plating Sanchez and Zinicola. Zinicola recorded a triple – his second in the two-game series - with one down to jump-start the rally.

Sanchez lined a double into the right-center gap in the next frame, nudging the Bears ahead again at 4-2, with two RBIs. Dalton Miller and Zinicola reached after being struck by a pitch and crossed the plate on the two-bagger. Wagner tallied drove in his third run of the contest with a single to right center, which chased Sanchez home.

Utah closed to within one at 5-4 with a pair of markers in the home fifth.

Meier reestablished a two-run gap with a two-out, scoring Zinicola, who led off the frame with a single.

The Utes knotted the score at six in the bottom of the sixth inning. Each pitching staff posted zeros from the top of the seventh until a walk-off double in the home 12th.

Up Next
Following the series in Utah, the Bears return to Jackson Field Friday – Sunday for a Summit League series against Omaha. The first pitch for Friday's game is set for 2 p.m. with games Saturday and Sunday set for a noon start.