Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 | Box Score 4 Price, UT – The weather took a turn for the better since the preview article of the 2020 season for the Utah State University Eastern baseball team. After a couple of trips to the south, the Eagles brought back just enough warm weather to get Colosimo-Carlson field ready to play the home opener against the Dawson Community College Buccaneers on February 21^st and 22^nd. The Eagles played a 4-game series and took 3 game out of 4 from the Buccaneers in the home opener.
 
Karter Pope got the complete game win in game one, allowing 3 runs on 4 hits and striking out 9. The first three hitters in the order each drove in a run for the Eagles, in Ethan Udy, Dylan Rodriguez and Dawsen Hall. Drew Staley also drove in a run for the Eagles, with one additional run scored on a wild pitch from a Buccaneer pitcher. Dylan Sanchez was 2-3 at the plate with 2 runs scored. The Eagles took game one 5-3.
 
The offense was the story of game two. Hayden Brock started on the mound for Eastern and kept DCC at bay, allowing 4 runs on 2 hits and striking out 5 in his 4 innings of work. Freshman Ryder Peterson led the way for the offensive explosion that resulted in 13 runs in two innings for USU E. Peterson was 3 for 4 on the day with 2 singles and a 3-run homerun. He had 5 RBIs and 2 runs scored in the win. Sanchez was 2-4 with a double, 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. Cooper Ohlson also added 3 hits and two runs scored to help the Eagles sweep the day one doubleheader 17-7. Kade Hancock came on in relief and got the save in three innings of work.
 
Game three was a pitching and defensive contest that only lasted one hour and 30 minutes. DCC snuck a win away from the Eagles by a score of 1-0. Connor Udy pitched a gem of a game, throwing all 7 innings allowing just the 1 run on 5 hits and striking out 13 Buccaneers.
 
The final game of the series ended much like the 2^nd game, a run-rule victory in 5 innings. The Eagles finished the series off with a 14-3 win. Hall came to the plate with the bases loaded and the Eagles leading 10-3 and hit a game-ending grand slam to cap the day. 8 of 9 hitters in USU Eastern's lineup drove in runs, with Hall leading the team at 4 RBI. Sanchez, Peterson and E. Udy all had 2 hits apiece in the final game. Parker Buys was credited with the victory and went the distance on the hill, throwing a complete game. He allowed 3 runs on 6 hits and struck out 8.
 
The Eagles improve to 5-7 on the year and look to finish their preseason schedule on a high note as they face the Utah State University club team next weekend, February 28^th and 29^th. They will play another 4 game set against USU club with double headers beginning at noon on both days.