PROVO, Utah — BYU opened the 2024 home baseball schedule with a 3-2 win over Gonzaga in front of 1,315 fans on Thursday at Miller Park.
With the game tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth, Luke Anderson led off the inning with a home run off the scoreboard in left field for a 3-2 Cougar lead. The solo blast proved to be the game-winner.
"Luke’s home run to lead off the sixth was huge,” said head coach Trent Pratt. “Our pitching was good today. Our bullpen did a great job of holding them scoreless the final three innings. It was good for this team to win a close game.”
Senior left hander Mason Olson earned his first victory of the year with three scoreless innings that included four strikouts and just two hits. Stone Cushing came in the ninth to record the final three outs, including a pair of strikeouts for his first save of the year.
Player Highlights
Mason Olson: W, 3.0 IP, 2 H, 4 K
Luke Anderson: 2-4, HR, 1 RBI, Run
Bryker Hurdsman: 1-3, Run
Kuhio Aloy: 1-4, 2 RBI
Game Summary
BYU (3-5) jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning with two runs on three hits. Anderson led off the inning with a single and advanced to second after Bryker Hurdsman singled to right field. After advancing to second and third on a fly ball, designated hitter Kuhio Aloy singled up the middle to score both runners for an early 2-0 lead.
The Cougars held the advantage for four innings before Gonzaga got on the board in the top of the sixth with two runs on three singles to tie the score at 2-2.
Anderson countered in the bottom half of the inning with a lead-off solo blast off the scoreboard for the only extra base hit of the game by either team.
The BYU bullpen held the Zags to just one hit—a bunt single—over the last three innings to secure the win.
Due to stormy weather forecasted for Saturday, BYU will wrap up the three-game series with Gonzaga in a Friday doubleheader. The first game will start at 12 p.m. MST with the second game immediately following at approximately 3 p.m. Both will be broadcasted on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ and BYU Radio 107.9/BYU Radio App. Live stats are also available here.