BYU lost a 7-6 heartbreaker in the 13th inning against Utah after a four and a half-hour game in front of a packed stadium at Miller Park.
“I’m pretty proud of our team and proud of our pitchers,” said BYU coach Mike Littlewood. “It was a war of attrition tonight. Credit Utah for making pitches and getting key hits when they needed them.”
BYU won the first game of the series against Utah earlier this year and the second game was rained out.
Although BYU lost tonight, they won the season series because the Cougars outscored Utah 11-6 in the first game.
Tonight’s loss puts BYU’s record at 244-116-2 in the overall series against Utah since their first game together in 1895.
After the first home run of the game, the Utes took a 2-1 lead to close out the second inning.
After three innings and three strikeouts by Jordan Wood, BYU led the game 3-2.
Wood, a sophomore at BYU, finished the night with four strikeouts—totaling 42 for his career thus far.
With the bases loaded in the fifth inning, Keaton Kringlen smacked a ball far into left field for two RBIs and a 6-5 BYU lead.
In the top of the seventh inning, with Utah players on first and second base, BYU pitcher Aaron Cross hit two Ute batters in a row, putting them both on base and allowing Utah to tie the game at 6-6.
After scoreless eighth, ninth, 10th, 11th and 12th innings, the game was forced into a 13th inning.
With one out and the bases loaded, Utah hit a sacrifice fly to the right side of the field. The hit was deep enough for the Utah runner on third base to score, giving the Utes the lead for the first time since the fourth inning.
Trailing 7-6, BYU took the field at the bottom of the 13th.
However, the Cougars couldn’t capitalize on a single from Brennon Anderson in their half of the inning and Daniel Schneemann grounded out to first base to end the game.
BYU will remain at home to host a three-game series with Portland that begins on Thursday at 6 p.m. MDT.
