RIVERSIDE, California — Behind a team pitching gem that surrendered just two hits, BYU baseball defeated UC Riverside 11-3 Monday afternoon at Riverside Sports Complex.
BYU rolled up 11 runs on 16 hits to improve to 4-3 on the year while, UCR fell to 2-6.
HIGHTLIGHTS
• Ryder Robinson: 4-5, RBI, Run, 2B
• Luke Anderson: 2-6, 2RBI, 2Runs, 2B
• Crew McChesney: 1-4, 2RBI, Run, 2B
• Ezra McNaughton: 2-5, 2Runs, RBI, 2B
• Parker Goff: 2-5, 2Runs, 2B
• Cayson Bell: 4 innings, 4SO, No Hits
SUMMARY
BYU got on the scoreboard in its first at bat with three runs on five hits. Back-to-back singles by McNaughton and Robinson, followed by a McChesney double, scored both runners for a 2-0 lead. McChesney then stole third and scored on a double down the right field line by Hansen for the 3-0 advantage.
The Cougars tacked on two more runs in the top of the second inning to increase the lead to 5-0. With two outs Anderson singled to left and scored on a McNaughton double to center. Then Robinson doubled to center for an RBI and a five-run lead.
Following two scoreless innings BYU manufactured a run in the fifth. After a leadoff double by Goff and a Matt Hansen walk, Easton Jones flied out to deep right field to move Goff to third where he scored on a Ryker Schow ground ball for a 6-0 cushion.
After three scoreless innings, BYU broke the game open in the ninth with five runs on three hits for a 11-0 advantage. UCR picked up three runs in the ninth on three hit batters, a walk and a single for a final score of 11-3.
Cayson Bell went four perfect innings not allowing a single Highlander to reach base to open the game. BYU relievers Nate Wochner, Austin Park, Dan Brousseau and Brayden Marx then combined for four additional innings holding UCR to just one hit, two walks and three strikeouts. Wochner, who pitch a scoreless fifth, was credited with the win.
UP NEXT
Beginning Wednesday, BYU will play four games, Feb. 25-28, at Bohl Diamond at Blair Field, home of Long Beach State. The Cougars will face the Dirtbags on Wednesday, Feb. 25 (6:05 p.m. PT) and Saturday, Feb. 28 (1:05 p.m. PT). In addition, BYU will play two neutral-site games with Washington State on Thursday and Friday. First pitch for both WSU games is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PT.
SERIES BROADCAST PLANS
All four game at Long Beach will be broadcast live on BYUradio.org and the BYU Radio app with the two games versus WSU being simulcast on 107.9 FM in Utah County. Matt Baiamonte will have the radio play-by-play call live from Bohl Diamond. Wednesday’s game versus Long Beach will also be broadcast on ESPN+.