Cougars fall to Ohio State in game two at MLB Desert Invitational

BYU baseball dropped game two of the MLB Desert Invitational to Ohio State, 7-2, on Saturday at Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona.

Luke Anderson vs Pepperdine 2023Luke Anderson vs Pepperdine 2023

Watch BYU vs. Grand Canyon HERE

MESA, Ariz. (Feb. 17) — BYU baseball dropped game two of the MLB Desert Invitational to Ohio State, 7-2, on Saturday at Sloan Park, the spring training home of the Chicago Cubs.  

“We had chances early to score but couldn’t capitalize,” said BYU head coach Trent Pratt. “On the mound we didn’t throw enough strikes tonight and gave up too many baserunners through walks and hitting guys. Ohio State is a good team and they’ll put pressure on you on the bases. We’ll learn from this game and get better.”

Player Highlights

  • Kuhio Aloy: 1-3, HR, RBI
  • Luke Anderson: 2-4
  • Easton Jones: 1-4, Run

Game Summary
Ohio State (1-1) got on the scoreboard first with a solo home run by Nick Giamarusti in the top of the third inning.

The Cougars (1-1) evened the score at one a piece in the bottom of the fourth on a ground ball by Collin Reuter that scored Easton Jones who had doubled to lead off the inning. 

The Buckeyes retook the lead in the fifth on a double and a RBI single for a 2-1 advantage. They increased the lead to 3-1 in the sixth when Henry Kaczmar was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in another run. 

BYU got a run back in the seventh inning on a solo home run by designated hitter Kuhio Aloy to bring the Cougars within a run at 3-2. It was Aloy’s second bomb of the MLB Invitational and his fourth RBI in two games.

Ohio State picked up a pair of insurance runs in the eighth and tacked on two more in the ninth for a final score of 7-2. The Buckeyes scored seven runs on nine walks and 11 hits, while the Cougars had two runs on six hits. 

Up Next
BYU will face Grand Canyon in the final game of the MLB Invitational on Monday, Feb. 19 at 1 p.m. MST at Sloan Park. The game will be broadcast live on BYU Radio 107.9 and simulcast on the BYU Radio App with Dave McCann on the call.