NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — After winning the first two games of the series at CSUN, BYU baseball dropped game three, 9-4, on Saturday afternoon at Robert J. Hiegert Field in Northridge.
The Matadors improved to 2-4 on the year, while the Cougars fell to 4-4. After playing eight road games in 10 days in California, BYU will return home for a few days before heading to Spokane, Washington for a three-game series with Gonzaga, Feb. 27–March 1.
“Tip your hat to CSUN for being patient at the plate and taking advantage of offensive opportunities today,” said BYU head coach Trent Pratt. “Our defense has been great through the first eight games of the year, but we need to learn to be more patient at the plate and do a better job throwing strikes on the mound. The plan is to improve each week, so we are playing our best baseball when Big 12 play begins in three weeks.”
BYU Highlights
• Cooper Vest: 2-4, 2 RBI, 2 Runs, 2B, HR
• Bryker Hurdsman: 2-4, RBI
• Easton Jones: 1-3, Run
• Hayden Coon: 2 IP, 4 SO, 0 Hits
Game Summary
BYU scored first with one run in the second. Cooper Vest led off the inning with a double and advanced to third on a ground ball by Luke Anderson. Bryker Hurdsman then singled to center to drive in the first run of the game.
CSUN answered with four runs in the third on a leadoff home run, combined with four walks, a hit batter and an infield single for a 4-1 lead.
The Cougars fought back with two runs in the fourth on a leadoff walk by Easton Jones, followed by a two-run home run by Vest, his third of the series. BYU then tied the score in the fifth at 4-4 with a run on two hits. Brock Watkins singled to left and advanced to second on a balk. He then scored on a single by Crew McChesney to tie the game.
The Matadors struck back in the sixth inning with five runs, while hitting through their batting order. CSUN’s runs came on four hits, a walk and a hit batter for what proved to be the final score of 9-4. Cougar pitchers walked five and hit two batters, which led to six of the Matadors nine runs.