The BYU baseball team lost Thursday 10–1 to the University of San Francisco in the first game of the weekend’s three game series.
“This is where we need to have short memories and show up tomorrow, clear our minds of today and be ready to compete,” head coach Mike Littlewood said.
The Cougars (24–19, 10–9 WCC) now hold just a half game lead over both Pepperdine and Saint Mary’s for the fourth place and the final spot in the WCC tournament. The Waves and Gaels play each other this weekend in a three game series.
“If we lose a game, you’re out of the playoffs,” Littlewood said. “In my mind that’s what it feels like. Every single game is a must win.”
The Dons (31–19, 15–7) won their seventh straight game behind a stellar outing from starter Abe Bobb, giving up just one run and pitching a complete game. With the win, USF clinched a spot in the conference tournament.
The Cougars threatened early but failed to capitalize. BYU stranded two runners in the first and lined into a double play with two on to end the second.
Dons’ first baseman Zach Turner broke the scoreless tie in the third inning with a three-run home run. The Dons added three more runs in the fourth on a two-out, two-run double by Bradley Zimmer followed by a run-scoring single by Turner, giving USF a 6–0 lead. The Dons tacked on two runs each in the sixth and eighth, giving them a 10–0 lead heading into the ninth.
BYU third baseman Adam Law hit a solo home run in the ninth, his second of the season. Starter Desmond Pouslon went four innings for the Cougars, giving up six runs and nine hits.
BYU and USF will face off again Friday at 6 p.m. MDT. The game will be broadcast on BYUtv and KOVO 960 AM.
