By RHETT GLAUSER
The public address system at Franklin Covey Field twice requested the owner of a misplaced baseball glove to claim it at the press box.
The Cougars and the Utes could have benefited from this advice after fielding errors led to a total of 16 runs between the two teams in a game won by Utah 16-10.
The Cougars were in control with a 7-2 lead heading into the bottom of the third inning.
Centerfielder Shane Belliston provided the Cougar’s firepower in the first three innings with a RBI single in the first and a three-run home run in the third.
The Utes came on strong in the bottom of the third scoring three runs on two home runs.
Utah then took the lead in the fifth inning with eight runs scored on eight hits.
The fifth inning rally propelled the Utes to a commanding 13-7 lead.
BYU coach Vance Law said, “I was disappointed to have a 7-2 lead and have us blow it. I don’t fault our effort, but we ought to have been able to shut things down.”
The Cougars lost the hot-hitting Belliston in the fourth inning to a dislocated shoulder.
The injury occurred on a seemingly routine play in which he dove back to first base to avoid a tag from the Ute’s pick-off play.
Law said Belliston “was swinging the bat very well. His loss will hurt the team.”
Depending on the severity of the injury, Belliston could return in two weeks for the Mountain West Tournament or be out for the remainder of the season.
Belliston said, “An injury is the last thing I wanted. I didn’t want to disappoint the team.”
Outfielder Matt Carson continued to get in the way of pitches this season and was hit for a BYU record 13th time.
Utah right fielder Jed Chrisman was 4 for 5 with a home run, two doubles and a single. He finished the game with four RBIs.
BYU pitcher James Ray was the losing pitcher of record after entering the game in the fifth inning and allowing four consecutive hits.
The Cougar defense didn’t help Ray after the Utah’s first batter reached base on an error leading the Utes to an eight-run inning.
The Cougars look to finish the season strong with a six-game home stand beginning Thursday, May 4 at 2 p.m. against San Diego State.
Nobody ever claimed the misplaced baseball glove.
Total attendance for the game was 3,113.
