By Christopher Moore
In what may be the turning point of its young season, the BYU baseball team took care of business and cruised past Southern Utah in Tuesday’s doubleheader, April 4, 8-0 and 12-3.
With the victories, BYU improved its overall record to 21-14.
BYU had split a four-game road series with Southern Utah in early March, but jumped on the Thunderbirds often and did not let up its intensity.
In the opener, the Cougars played one of their best games of the year and killed the Thunderbirds slowly with 14 hits, while committing no errors.
Three BYU pitchers combined to five-hit Southern Utah and gave up only one extra base hit.
Five Cougars racked up RBIs, with shortstop/second baseman Tyler Perry going a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate.
“We are starting to click, hit the ball and play together better,” Perry said. “Injuries have hurt us, but we know that we are tough to beat if we do the little things well.”
In the second half of the doubleheader, BYU hitters continued to blister SUU pitchers with 16 hits.
Cameron Coughlan, Aaron Whitley, Shane Belliston and Matt Carson all had multi-hit games for the Cougars.
Players also credit a special team meeting after two road losses last weekend to San Diego State for Tuesday’s explosive play.
“It was good to bring things out on the table, and discuss how everyone was feeling,” outfielder Nick Greene said. “We are a great team. There is a thin line between the Top 25 and not being ranked.
“We are very close. Our intentions are not losing another game,” he said.
Greene also predicted the outcome of the Cougars’ upcoming series against conference leader New Mexico.
“Sweep,” he said.
In miscellaneous news, BYU received word that injured shortstop Seth King’s wrist is not broken. King will still miss another week of action to keep the wrist immobilized and allow it to heal more rapidly.
