TUCSON, Arizona — BYU defeated Arizona 5-1 Friday evening at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson to even the three-game Big 12 baseball series at 1-1, with the rubber match set for Saturday at 2 p.m. MT.
BYU (21-20, 10-10) scored five runs on 13 hits with no errors. Arizona (16-25, 7-13) was held to one run on four hits, while committing four errors.
Highlights
Matt Hansen: 3-5, RBI, 2 Runs
Easton Jones: 3-5, RBI, Run
Tu’alau Wolfgramm: 2-5, RBI, Run
Ezra McNaughton: 1-2, RBI, BB
Garrison Sumner: 6 2/3 IP, Run, 7 Ks
Ashton Johnson: 2 1/3 IP, No Hits, 2 Ks
Summary
After two scoreless innings to open the game, BYU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third on an Ezra McNaughton sacrifice fly to left that scored Matt Hansen, who had doubled to lead off the inning and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Ridge Erickson.
The Cougars picked up another run in the fourth to push the lead to 2-0. With one out, Luke Anderson doubled down the right field line and scored on a two-out single by Easton Jones.
Arizona answered with a run of its own in the bottom half of the fifth on a double and a sacrifice fly to cut the BYU lead to 2-1.
BYU responded with two more runs in the top of the sixth. Tu’alau Wolfgramm led off with a double down the left-field line and scored on a Hansen double off the left-center wall. With two outs, Anderson reached on a throwing error and Hansen scored for a 4-1 Cougar advantage.
The Cougars added an insurance run in the seventh for a 5-1 lead. Back-to-back singles by Jones and Bryker Hurdsman put runners on the corners, where a ground ball to shortstop by Wolfgramm scored Jones.
BYU closer Ashton Johnson came on in relief to pitch the final 2 1/3 innings, holding the Wildcats hitless while striking out two for his fourth save of the year. Cougar starter Garrison Sumner went 6 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts, while surrendering just one run for his third win.
Up Next
BYU and Arizona will play the rubber match for the series win on Saturday at 2 p.m. MT at Hi Corbett Field in Tucson. 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.