LAFAYETTE, La. — BYU baseball lost a tough pitching duel, 2-1, Friday night in game three of a four-game series with Louisiana at M.L. Moore Field at Russo Park in Lafayette.
The Ragin’ Cajuns, who advanced to the NCAA baseball regionals in 2022, improved to 5-1 on the season, while the Cougars dropped to 2-5.
“Give credit to Louisiana tonight,” said BYU head coach Trent Pratt. “They made just enough plays to win. I thought our pitching staff was outstanding and gave us a real chance tonight.”
Game Summary
• Louisiana scored two runs on five hits, while BYU had one run on three hits
• Cougar pitchers Bryce Robison and Mason Olson combined for 14 strikeouts with just four walks.
BYU Highlights
• Ozzie Pratt: 1-2, BB
• Austin Deming: 1-3, 2B, BB
• Tate Gambill: 3 BB, Run
• Bryce Robison: 6 IP, 3 Hits, 10 SO
Louisiana scored first with one out in the fourth inning on a solo home run to center field by catcher Julian Brock to take a 1-0 lead.
BYU responded by tying the score at 1-1 in the top of the fifth with two walks, a Ragin’ Cajuns error and a single by shortstop Brock Watkins.
The Cougars had a chance to take the lead in the top of the ninth but were unable to push across the go-ahead run with bases loaded.
Brock finished off his heroic night by leading off the bottom of the ninth with a double to right center. Pinch hitter Caleb Stelly’s sac fly to right field with one out gave Louisiana the 2-1 victory.
The final game of the four-game series is scheduled for Saturday at 1 p.m. CST and will be broadcast live on the BYU Radio App and BYU Radio 107.9 FM in the northern Utah market. Jason Shepherd will have the play-by-play. In addition, Louisiana will broadcast the game on ESPN+ with Dan McDonald and Brennan Breaux on the call.