AUSTIN, Texas — BYU baseball scored seven runs on 14 hits, including six extra base hits, in a 7-5 win over Texas on Thursday night at UFCU Disch-Falk Field in Austin.
With the victory, BYU improved to 12-14 (5-8) on the year, while the loss dropped Texas to 18-12 (6-4). Cougar starter Ben Hansen (4-3) went 5.1 innings, striking out five for the win.
Player Highlights
• Collin Reuter: 3-6, 2 RBI, Run, HR
• Cooper Vest: 4-5, RBI, Run, 2 2B
• Keoni Panter: 1-5, 2 RBI
• Ben Hansen: 5.1 IP, 5 K, 4 Runs
The Cougars got onboard first with two runs in the top of the first on walks by Luke Anderson and Easton Jones, followed by an RBI single by catcher Collin Reuter and a sacrifice fly by designated hitter Kuhio Aloy.
BYU tacked on single runs in both the second and third innings to increase its lead to 4-0 through three innings. Leadoff home runs by Chipper Beck in the second inning and Reuter in the third accounted for the Cougar runs.
BYU picked up two more runs in the fifth inning to extend its lead to 6-0. Bryker Hurdsman was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a double to right center by Cooper Vest. Keoni Painter then singled to left for two RBIs.
Texas answered in the bottom of the fifth with two runs on three hits to cut the Cougar lead 6-2.
BYU picked up another run in the sixth inning on a Vest double that scored Aloy, who had walked and advanced to second on a fielder’s choice. Texas answered with three runs on three hits in the bottom half of the inning to make the score 7-5.
The Cougars’ bullpen of Hayden Coon, Mason Olson and Stone Cushing combined for 3.2 innings while surrendering just one run and shutting out the Longhorns over the final three frames. Cushing picked up his Big 12-leading sixth save of the year.
Game two of the three-game conference series is set for Friday at 6:30 p.m. CT, with game three slated for Saturday at 1:30 p.m. Both contests will be broadcast on the Longhorn Network with Keith Moreland and Greg Swindell on the call. The games will also be broadcast live on BYU Radio App, BYUradio.org and 107.9 FM in the local market with the Voice of the Cougars, Greg Wrubell, on play-by-play.