Summary
BYU struck first in the bottom of the first inning with three runs on three hits. Luke Anderson led off with a double to left center. Ryder Robinson then doubled to left scoring Anderson. Easton Jones walked and was forced out at second on a fielder’s choice ground ball by Tu'alau Wolfgramm. Hurdsman then singled to right to score Robinson from third and move Wolfgramm to second. A double steal moved both runners up a base, where Wolfgramm later scored on a wild pitch for a 3-0 lead.
ASU chipped away at the Cougar lead with single runs in the top half of both the second and third innings to cut the BYU advantage to 3-2.
The Cougars responded in the bottom half of the third with four runs on four hits and a walk. Easton Jones singled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a double down the third base line by Hurdsman. After a Cooper Jones walk, Ryker Schow’s sacrifice fly moved both runners up a base, scoring Jones. Goff then singled to left to score Cooper Jones from second. Anderson then doubled down the left field line to score Goff from first for a 7-2 lead.
The Sun Devils picked up another run in the top of the fourth, but BYU responded with three more runs in the bootom of the inning to increase its lead to 10-3. A single by Robinson and a double by Easton Jones put runners on the corners. Hurdsman then singled to score Robinson and send Jones to third. Cooper Jones then doubled to right center to score his brother from third and Hurdsman from first.
ASU picked up another run on two hits in the top of the fifth, but BYU added five more in the bottom of the frame. With Anderson on third and Robinson on first, Easton Jones brought Anderson home and sent Robinson to third on an infield hit. Wolfgramm then doubled off the left field wall to score Robinson and move Jones to third. Both scored on a Hurdsman home run over the centerfield wall for a 15-4 lead.
Another Sun Devil run in the six, made it 15-5, but the Cougars answered in the bottom of the sixth with four more runs for a 19-5 advantage. With one out, Robinson tripled down the first base line to score Anderson, who had reached on an error. Wolfgramm then hit his third home run of the year, scoring Robinson. Cooper Jones then tripled to center to score Hurdsman who had been hit by a pitch.
ASU ended the scoring in the top of the seventh with four runs on a solo home run and three-run triple for a final score of 19-9.
Lefty starter Wayland Crane (1-2) went 4.0 innings for the win, surrendering three runs while striking out five.
Up Next
BYU and ASU will play game two of the three-game series on Friday, April 17 at 6 p.m. MT at Miller Park. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and on the BYU Radio app, BYUradio.org, SiriusXM 143 and 107.9 FM in Utah County.
