BYU holds on to defeat Utah 9-8 and even season series

PROVO, Utah — BYU baseball edged Utah 9-8 to even the season series Tuesday night at Miller Park.

"We talk a lot about being relentless," said BYU head coach Trent Pratt. "They have taken that to heart and done a great job. We need to do the same thing this weekend."

The Cougars (21-26) scored nine runs on 10 hits, highlighted by freshman Matt Hansen’s first career home run. Utah (24-26) collected 12 hits and an error, plating eight runs.

BYU jumped out to a 7-2 lead after three innings, but Utah chipped away, outscoring the Cougars 6-2 over the final six frames. With the tying run 90 feet away in the top of the ninth, Rockwell Lybbert earned his first career save, while Noah Ficklin picked up the win.

The Cougars and Utes split their season series for the first time since 2019.

BYU Highlights

Matt Hansen: 1-3, 2 Runs, 2 RBI, HR

Bryker Hurdsman: 3-3, Run, RBI 

Ridge Erickon: 1-2, Run, 3 RBI, 2B

Luke Anderson: 2-5, Run

 

Game Summary

The Cougars got on the board early with a run in the bottom of the first inning. Tate Gambill drew a walk, Ryder Robinson was hit by a pitch and Anderson singled to right to load the bases. Hurdsman was thrown four balls and Gambill was pushed home for the opening score. 

With a full count in the bottom of the second, Hansen led off the inning hitting his first career home run. BYU led 2-0 after two frames.

The Utes evened the score in the top of the third with a pair of hits, but the Cougars responded with a five-run outburst in the bottom half. With two outs, Hurdsman singled to right, Brock Watkins followed with a single to right center and Crew McChesney drew a walk to load the bases. Hansen then walked, bringing in Hurdsman, before Erickson delivered a bases-clearing double to left, scoring Watkins, McChesney, and Hansen. Gambill reached on a bunt, and an error on the play allowed Erickson to cross the plate, giving BYU a 7-2 lead after three innings.

After a scoreless fourth inning, Utah chipped away at the deficit with a two-run homer in the top of the fifth and added another run on a two-out single in the sixth, cutting the Cougars’ lead to two. BYU quickly responded in the bottom of the sixth, as Ryder Robinson and Anderson each singled before Cooper Vest drove in Robinson. Anderson then stole home, pushing the Cougars’ lead to 9-5.

The Utes added a run in the seventh on two hits but came up empty in the eighth, thanks in part to a diving foul ball catch by Ryker Schow.

Utah hit a two-run homer to start the ninth, cutting the lead to one, but the Cougars held on for a 9-8 win, ending the game on a strikeout and a Lybbert save.

Up Next

BYU stays home at Miller Park for a three-game home series against Texas Tech from May 15-17. Game one is set for Thursday, May 15 at 6 p.m. MT. All three games will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and BYU Radio.