OREM, Utah - BYU baseball plays Utah Valley for the second and final time this season at UCCU Ballpark on Tuesday, March 19, at 6 p.m. MT.
The Cougars defeated the Wolverines 5-1 in Provo on March 5 in BYU’s home opener.
BYU’s 12-3 start through its first 15 games was the second-best mark in program history behind a 14-1 start in 2016. Currently at 13-5 overall, the Cougars are tied for the fourth-best record through 18 games in program history.
The Cougar pitching staff ranks among the best in the nation, including current ranks of No. 24 in WHIP at 1.19, No. 25 in walks allowed per nine innings at 3.06, and No. 26 in ERA at 3.06. BYU has allowed four or fewer runs in 14 of 18 games this season and won three of the four games the Cougars have allowed five or more. BYU has kept every game close, losing by margins of just one, four, two, two and two runs.
Senior first baseman Brian Hsu is having a career year, currently batting .403 (good for 52nd in the nation) and has an on-base percentage of .479. Hsu is currently on a six-game hitting streak with two hits or more in five of those games. He also has not committed an error in the field in 126 chances.
Senior catcher Noah Hill has also started the season hot. Hill is currently on a 14-game hit streak; in fact, the senior has hit safely in every game he’s played since going hitless in the Cougars’ season opener. He’s currently second on the team with a .382 average and has not committed an error in the field.
The game against the Wolverines will be streamed live on the WAC Digital Network and can be heard on BYU Radio and ESPN 960. Following Tuesday's game, BYU will host a three-game series with WCC opponent Portland starting Thursday, March 21, at 6 p.m. MT at Miller Field.