Cougars prep for Utes after loss to Nevada Wolfpack

Cougar baseball returns home after a devastating 2-1 loss to University of Nevada Wolfpack this past weekend.

“This is one of the most disappointing road trips I have had in recent memory,” said coach Vance Law in a news release. “We are starting to swing the bats better, but this is a series we could have won.”

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The Cougars won for the first time in more than 31 years in Reno against Nevada resulting in BYU pitcher Chris Cappers’ first win of the season and an end to Nevada’s three-game winning streak. Mason Marshall, a right-handed pitcher from South Jordan relieved Capper in the eighth inning and ultimately pitched the Cougars to a 4-3 victory Thursday evening.

“We finally got enough runs to get Capper his win,” Law said.  “All four of our runs came after we had two outs.  Our two-out RBI were big for us. I’m proud we competed at the plate. Marshall is a guy that can bounce back almost on a daily basis.”

The Cougars were not as fortunate when the team faced off against the Wolfpack on Friday and Saturday. At Friday’s game Nevada’s Ryan Teel hit a triple in the fifth inning giving the Wolfpack a 5-4 advantage.

“We gifted them some runs with eight walks and two hit batters,” Law said. “When we give away 10 free bases, we are lucky to get away with them only scoring five runs.”

Saturday’s game didn’t fare much better for the Cougars as the team was outplayed by the Wolfpack while battling the elements. Brooks Klein, a junior right-fielder for Nevada, dominated on offense scoring a double in the fifth, a two-run homer in the seventh and a one run triple in the eighth inning. Klein also hit bit a ball in Nevada’s six run first inning which left a gaping hole for the Cougars to climb out of.

“It was tough conditions, but there is no excuse for walking three batters and hitting another without an out to start the game,” Law said. “It is really tough for any team to come back from that kind of demoralizing start.”

There was a brief rain intermission in the fifth inning as snow began to fall in the ninth frame.

The Cougars now look to take on the University of Utah Tuesday as the team plays its second of three non-conference matches against the Utes.

BYU will change up its pitching staff as freshman right-handed pitcher Cameron Keysor will get his first start on the mound for the Cougars. The Cougars are 11-11 overall while the Utes are at a dismal 7-19 on the season. If the Cougars win this evening the team will clinch the Deseret First duel portion for baseball.

The game starts at 6 p.m. at Spring Mobile Ballpark in Salt Lake City. The game will also be broadcast on 960 AM Radio.