Reiser, Johnson deal 2-0 shutout in BYU upset of ASU

ARLINGTON, Texas — Pitchers Justis Reiser and Ashton Johnson combined to scatter just six hits over nine scoreless innings as 12-seed BYU upset 5-seed Arizona State in the first round of the Phillips 66 Big 12 Baseball Championship on Wednesday at Globe Life Field.

"We felt coming into the game if our pitching could fill up the strike zone and keep their hitters off balance we’d have a chance to win, and that’s exactly what Reiser and Johnson did,” said BYU head coach Trent Pratt. “On offense we were patient at the plate and put runners on base and in scoring position almost every inning. This is a relentless group. They love each other and they play hard. That’s the culture we are trying to build, and we took a step forward today.”

Reiser started the game on the mound for the Cougars and scattered three hits and a strikeout over the first four innings. Johnson took command on the hill over the final five innings, allowing three hits and striking out one Sun Devil to complete the shutout. Both Reiser and Johnson recorded season-long outings as BYU recorded its first shutout since 2023 and held ASU scoreless for the first time this season.

“Justis came out and gave us a great start,” said Johnson. “My job was to go in, have fun and do what I’ve done all year. We were playing in a major league ballpark, you might as well have some fun.” 

The Sun Devils entered the game leading the Big 12 in batting average, runs scored, hits, doubles and slugging percentage.

Despite scoring just two runs, the Cougars' patient hitting forced a combined 12 free bases from four ASU pitchers. BYU’s two hurlers combined for 113 pitches while the Sun Devils’ pitch count reached 200.

The Cougars’ two runs came on five hits with 14 left on base. ASU posted six hits with only six reaching base.

PHOTOS BY JAY HINTON AND BIG 12 CONFERENCE

BYU Highlights

Luke Anderson: 1-4, 3B
Bryker Hurdsman: 1-4, RBI, 2B
Crew McChesney: 1-4, RBI, 2B

Game Summary

Despite a scoreless first inning, BYU fought through each at bat to force 31 early pitches from ASU starter Ben Jacobs.

After a three-up, three-down bottom of the first from Reiser and the Cougar defense, Painter led off the second inning with a hit by pitch and a balk. McChesney then scored Painter from second for the 1-0 lead moments later with a one-out RBI double to right-center.

The Sun Devils put a runner aboard in the bottom of the fourth and threatened with another baserunner before the BYU infield abruptly ended the inning with a double play on the gloves of Anderson, Robinson and Vest.

Cougar batters again took advantage of free bases in the top of the fifth with Gambill aboard on a hit by pitch  and Anderson a walk. A Robinson single put runners in scoring position, allowing Gambill to score from third and BYU to take a 2-0 lead on a two-out RBI walk earned by Hurdsman.

“We were trying to be patient, have long at bats and put the ball into play,” Hurdsman. “They have a lot of talent on the mound. We just tried to extend at bats and put pressure on them. This is a group of guys who are hungry. We came to compete, have fun and give it everything we have.”

ASU used a pair of singles to put runners on first and second in the bottom of the eighth but Ashton Johnson and the Cougar defense ended the inning and the threat with McChesney and Gambill recording deep flyouts.

The Sun Devils’ leadoff batter reached base in the bottom of the ninth but Johnson retired the ensuing three batters with three straight flyouts to seal the 2-0 win.

Up Next

BYU advances to the Big 12 quarterfinals where it will face No. 4 seed Arizona on Thursday at 9 a.m. CDT. Watch the Cougars and Wildcats on ESPN+ or tune in to the voice of the Cougars, Greg Wrubell, on BYU Radio.