College baseball: Hardy helps UTPB sweep Newman to close season

Brent Hardy has been moved all over the place this season for the UTPB baseball team.

He started the year as a starter, but was moved to closer after struggling early on.

On Saturday, in the final games of his career, Hardy was dominating at both spots.

He pitched a perfect inning for a save in an 8-6 win over Newman (Kan.) University (17-38 overall, 13-36 Heartland Conference) and then threw a two-hit shutout in a 7-0 victory to complete the doubleheader sweep.

Hardy struck out one to complete the victory in the first game, it was his second save of the weekend after he earned one on Friday night. In the nightcap, he scattered two hits, didn't walk anyone and struck out five to pick up the victory.

Will Basom hit a solo home run to lead the Falcons in the opener and Jacob Bourdeau and Dan Merz drove in a pair of runs each.

In the second game, the Falcons (34-21, 30-19) blew the game open with a five-run fifth inning highlighted by back-to-back-to-back triples by Mario Barredo, Basom and Logan Forest to open the inning.

Bourdeau added an RBI double and Robert Leigh and Eric Gutierrez had RBI singles.

Jordan Strode earned the victory in the first game in relief for Kyle Frets. Strode pitched two innings, allowing two runs and striking out two.

The victories wrap up the most successful season in program history for the Falcons.