PROVO, Utah – A four-run sixth inning from No. 22 Arizona proved too much to overcome as BYU baseball fell 7-5 to the Wildcats in the series rubber match on Saturday at Miller Park.
BYU (19-18, 6-12 Big 12) scored five runs on eight hits while Arizona (28-11, 12-6 Big 12) scored seven runs on nine hits.
“Arizona is really good on the mound,” said head coach Trent Pratt. “We scored five runs, which I think they’re giving up less than that every game. We just needed to find a way to close out the game.”
Player Highlights
Ryder Robinson: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI
Tate Gambill: 2-5, 2B
Crew McChesney: 1-4, 2B, 2 RBI
Ashton Johnson: 2 IP, 1K, 0 Runs
Game Summary
BYU took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first off a RBI single from Cooper Vest that scored Crew McChesney who had earned a leadoff walk and later stole second base.
The Wildcats responded with a run of their own in the top of the third on a single and a two-out RBI double to tie the game at 1-1.
McChesney again reached base in the leadoff spot in the bottom of the third on an Arizona fielding error. Robinson then blasted a two-run home run over the right field wall for a 3-1 lead.
Arizona retook the lead in the sixth inning with two hits, combined with a walk and two hit batters for a 5-3 advantage.
BYU responded in the bottom half of the sixth inning with two runs of its own to tie the game. Gambill leadoff with a double to right center and two outs later Easton Jones was hit by a pitch putting runners on the corners. McChesney then doubled to deep right center to tie game at 5-5.
The Wildcats retook the lead for good with a home run, another hit batter and an insurance run on a single with two outs.
BYU loaded the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh, but a strikeout and popup ended the threat, giving UA the 7-5 win.
Up Next
BYU will head down the road to Orem to face UVU on Monday in the second and final game of the season series at 6:00 p.m. MDT. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and BYU Radio.