PROVO, Utah – Despite a three-run ninth inning, BYU baseball came up short 6-5 in its home opener versus Stetson on Wednesday at Miller Park.
“We had a lot of chances in the middle innings and just couldn’t come up with the big hit,” said BYU head coach Trent Pratt. “It was a good baseball game. I’m proud of our guys, they kept playing and battled back. Stetson just made a couple of big pitches and deleiver one more big hit than we did.”
BYU Highlights
- Crew McChesney: 3-5, RBI, 2B
- Luke Andersen: 2-5, 2 RBI
- Ryder Robinson: 2-5, 2 RBI, 2B, Run
- Cooper Vest: 2-5, 2 RBI, 2B, Run
Stetson jumped out ot an early lead in the first inning with a solo home run. The Hatters then added a second run in the top of the second for an early 2-0 lead.
Stetson extended its lead in the top of the fifth with a three-run inning for a 5-0 lead off a 2-RBI triple and third run coming in moments later.
BYU responded in the bottom of the fifth with its first run of the day. Parker Goff walked and moved to second in single to center by Crew McChesney. Ryder Robinson then singled to left to score Goff to cut the Hatters' lead to 5-1.
The Cougar defense held Stetson scoreless during the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. McChesney captialized on empty Hatter half innings and brought in Brock Watkins in the seventh on a single to left, cutting the defecit to 5-2. Following McChesney's hit, BYU loaded the bases but was unable to take advantage and stranded three.
Stetson scored what would become the winning run in the top of the ninth, on a RBI single for a 6-2 lead.
The Cougars were able to string together four straight hits in the bootom of the ninth. Robinson doubling and Easton Jones knocking in a single. Robinson then came home moments later on a Cooper Vest double to right. The Cougars then closed within one as Luke Anderson scored Vest and Jones on a two-RBI single to center.
With Anderson on first and the go-ahead run at the plate, BYU was unable to capitalize and ended the game on a pair of strikeouts.
Up Next
BYU continues its four-game series with Stetson Thursday at 3:00 p.m. MST. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and BYU Radio.