BYU’s Kolton Mahoney and Brandon Kinser teamed up at the start of a doubleheader to beat Saint Mary’s 4-3, who then came back in the nightcap for a 6-1 victory.
Saint Mary’s starting pitcher Cameron Neff helped his team along to the win in the three-game series, even though BYU improved its attention to detail from last night’s loss.
“It’s frustrating, but I am proud of the way we came out and played today,” said BYU coach Mike Littlewood. “We made adjustments at the plate and were much-improved, but Neff was lights out and didn’t give us many pitches to hit.”
BYU started strong in the afternoon, with a 1-0 lead in the third frame. Parker Starr scored on Brennon Lund’s bunt, but Saint Mary’s returned the favor in the fourth, scoring two runs to put the score up 2-1.
The Gaels scored their third run in the fifth, but Jarrett Jarvis and Mahoney prevented a fourth run by tagging a player out to end the inning.
Brock Whitney scored on Kelton Caldwell’s fly in the seventh, and then Whitney came through again with a two-run double, scoring the winning run for BYU, ending the game 4-3.
“I can’t say enough good about Brock,” Littlewood said. “When we win he literally is carrying us.”
The second game did not favor BYU, who didn’t score until the seventh inning when CJ Latham singled and Whitney ran to third. Whitney then scored on Caldwell’s pop fly, tying the game 1-1. The Gaels scored four runs in the bottom of the seventh due to a passed ball, a wild pitch and an umpire’s call at home plate. They ended the game 6-1 for a win over the Cougars.
“When you are on the road you have to fight through stuff,” Littlewood said. “I don’t like the loss, but I loved the effort. Until we are mathematically out of it, we will keep fighting.”
