BOWLING GREEN, Kentucky — BYU baseball won the final game of its four-game series with Western Kentucky, 12-8, on Monday, splitting the series 2-2 at Nick Denes Field in Bowling Green, Kentucky.
Unlike the first three contests, game four of the series was a slugfest from the start. BYU (2-2) posted five runs in the second inning on the way to a 12-run, 16-hit day, including six hits with runners in scoring position. WSU (2-2) scored eight runs on seven hits plating runners in five of the nine innings.
HIGHLIGHTS
• McNaughton: 3-5, 2HR, 2B, 3R, 5RBI
• Schow: 2-5, 3R, HR, 4RBI
• Hurdsman: 3-5, 2 2B, Run, RBI
• Goff: 2-4, Run, RBI
• Bell: 2.1 innings, Win, 1H, 1R, 1K
SUMMARY
After a scoreless first inning, BYU jumped out to an early lead in the top of the second with five runs on six hits. After beginning the inning with three-straight singles by Ryder Robinson, Parker Goff and Easton Jones, Ryker Schow then cleared the bases with a double down the left field line for a 3-0 advantage. One out later Ezra McNaughton homered over the right field fence to increase the BYU lead to 5-0.
WKU got a run back in the bottom half of the second inning on a hit by pitch and a single to cut the lead to 5-1. The Hilltoppers then tied the game 5-5 in the third inning on two walks, a double, a hit batter and a three-run home run.
The Cougars responded in the top of the fourth with four runs on three hits and a walk. Schow reached on a throwing error then quickly stole second, giving BYU its first stolen base of the season, and Anderson doubled to left center advancing Schow to third. McNaughton then homered for the second time giving BYU an 8-5 lead. Hurdsman doubled, McChesney walked and a wild pitch advanced both runners into scoring position. Goff then scored Hurdsman with a sacrifice fly to right field for a 9-5 lead.
The Hilltoppers got a run back in the bottom of the fourth with a hit batter, walk and a single to cut the Cougars’ advantage to 9-6.
BYU pushed its lead to 11-6 with two more runs in the fifth. With one out Schow homered over the centerfield wall, then McNaughten doubled off the top of wall in center with a drive that looked like it might be his third home run of the game. Hurdsman then singled to right field to score McNaughten and push the Cougar lead to 11-6.
WKU responded with a run of its own on two hits and another hit by pitch in the bottom of the sixth to cut the lead to four at 11-7. After a scoreless seventh inning, Crew McChesney led off the eighth inning will a solo bomb over the centerfield wall for a 12-7 lead.
The Hilltoppers made it interesting in the bottom of the ninth with one run on two walks, a hit batter and a single. WKU loaded the bases with one out, but BYU reliever Nate Wochner came out of the bull pen to strikeout the final two batters and preserve the 12-8 win.
Seven pitchers took the hill for BYU, combining to surrender seven earned runs while striking out 10 Hilltoppers. Cayson Bell got the win going 2.1 innings while surrendering just one run, while Wochner earned the save, his first as a Cougar.
NEXT UP
BYU will return home before heading to San Diego on Wednesday to play three games in the Tony Gwynn Legacy tournament hosted by SDSU, Feb. 19-21. Game one is scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 19 at 7 p.m. MT versus Nebraska-Omaha at Tony Gwynn Stadium. The game will be broadcast live on BYUradio.org, the BYUradio app and in Utah County on 107.9 FM. Matt Baiamonte will have the live play-by-play radio call.