FRESNO, Calif. — BYU baseball dropped its 2025 season opener to Fresno State, 7-1, on Friday at Bob Bennett Stadium in Fresno, California.
Bulldog right-handed pitcher Jack Anker, who helped Fresno State to a Mountain West title in 2024, earned the victory scattering four hits over six innings, while Cougar righty starter Payton Gubler went six solid innings, giving up just two earned runs in the loss.
“Unfortunatly we had two innings that sort of got away from us tonight, but tip your hat to Fresno State and Jack Anker.” said BYU head coach Trent Pratt. “Anker was very good tonight. He pounded the plate and we needed to do a better job of making adjustments at the plate. The good news is we have a chance to get right back at it with a double-header tomorrow. I thought Payton pitched well for us tonight. He threw stikes and kept us in it for six innings.”
BYU Player Highlights
- Easton Bryant: 2-3, RBI, 2B
- Payton Gubler: 6.0 IP, 2 ER, K
Game Summary
Fresno jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on three hits and an error that allowed two unearned runs to score. The Bulldogs tacked on another run in the fourth on a hit, passed ball and a wild pitch for a 4-0 lead.
BYU got on the board in the top of the seventh to cut the lead to 4-1. With one out Parker Goff walked and advanced to second on an error. Easton Bryant then doubled down the leftfield to score Goff.
The Bulldogs answered in the bottom of the seventh with three runs on two hits, a hit batter and a walk for a final score of 7-1.
BYU and Fresno State will play games two and three of the four-game series on Saturday, Feb. 15 with the first game scheduled for 2 p.m. PT at Bob Bennett Stadium. The second game with follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one.
Notable Stats
- Fresno scored 7 runs on 9 hits, while BYU had a run on 6 hits
- BYU had at least one man on base in each of the odd numbered innings, stranding six on the night
- Robinson and Bryant collected their first career BYU hits