PROVO, Utah – Mason Marshall tied the school saves record as No. 18 BYU baseball came back for a 7-6 win and series sweep over Utah Valley in the UCCU Crosstown Clash on Tuesday at Larry H. Miller Field.
"It was a tough game," BYU head coach Mike Littlewood said. "They came and played really well. We played nine innings and made them make plays. We gutted it out tonight."
Marshall's 15th career save helped BYU to a 3-0 season record against Utah Valley. The Cougars (33-15) came in having already clinched the season series with wins in the first two games against the Wolverines (16-33).
BYU got its first two runs in the first and third innings, with Daniel Schneemann driving in Brennon Anderson both times. Schneemann came around on a Tanner Chauncey double to left-center and the Cougars led 3-2 after three.
Utah Valley scored three in the fourth frame thanks in part to David Modler’s two-run triple, his first of a UVU-record two three-baggers in one game, that eluded a diving Keaton Kringlen in centerfield.
The Wolverines tacked on to their lead via Trevor Howell’s one-run double to left field. They led 6-3 at the seventh-inning stretch.
Reigning Rawlings West Coast Conference Player of the Week Brock Hale crushed a two-run homer to left-center in the bottom of the seventh to cut BYU’s deficit to 6-5.
"Brock (Hale) gave us a great lift," Littlewood said. "If he doesn't hit that homer, I'm not sure we win the game."
In the eighth, the Cougars had runners on first and second when the Utah Valley second baseman’s errant throw to first scored Brian Hsu, who was pinch running. Chauncey then singled to plate Anderson and put BYU up 7-6.
Marshall put the first two Wolverines on in the ninth before getting the lead runner at third on a sacrifice bunt attempt, fanning a hitter and inducing a game-ending groundout to short. He tied former Major Leaguer Ryan Hancock's (1991-93) program record with 15 career saves.
A committee of Jordan Wood, Kendall Motes, Colton Shaver, Bo Burrup and Marshall fulfilled pitching duties for the Cougars. Burrup (3-2) got the win.
BYU plays at Gonzaga in its final regular-season series, which begins Thursday at 6 p.m. PDT. One win would secure an outright WCC title for the Cougars.