ST. GEORGE, Utah (Interstat) — Utah Tech erupted for nine runs in the second inning and never trailed after that, defeating Abilene Christian 22-12 in a Western Athletic slugfest Thursday at Burns Arena.

The Trailblazers (29-21) collected 25 hits and built a 17-12 lead by the seventh. R. Kroepel homered in the first, igniting a four-run frame. M. Durham added a three-run homer in the second as Utah Tech sent 12 batters to the plate. K. McDaniel drove in four runs, doubling home two in the eighth.

Abilene Christian (24-26) managed 16 hits but could not overcome the deficit. Maddox Miesse homered twice and drove in four runs. Grant Watkins also homered. The Wildcats cut the lead to 13-12 in the fourth on a two-run single by JT Thompson, but Utah Tech answered each time.

The two teams meet again Friday and Saturday.