The BYU baseball team outhit, outscored and outright dominated Pacific with a decisive shutout.
The Cougars scored 10 and had 15 hits, as opposed to Pacific’s one run and five hits. BYU head coach Mike Littlewood was proud of the way his team played.
“I think they did a great job getting ready for the game,” Littlewood said. “We kind of broke it down a little bit. Instead of letting them go out on their own and get ready to play, I think we focused more on preparation today.”
The first inning ended quickly for the Tigers; they only got to base on a walk. BYU immediately took control of the game’s momentum. Freshman Brennon Lund took first after taking a hit from the pitcher. Sophomore Eric Urry walked, advancing Lund to second. Lund took advantage of junior Dillon Robinson flying out to make it to third, threatening the Tigers. Senior Brock Whitney grounded out, crossing Lund for the first run of the game.
Senior Desmond Poulson retired three in the top of the second, keeping Pacific scoreless. Freshman Brett Lopez doubled and quickly made it home with another double from junior Jarrett Jarvis. Junior Parker Starr grounded out but gave Jarvis the opportunity to reach third. Lund then singled to left field, and Jarvis scored.
The Tigers went three and out at the top of the third. Robinson tripled hard to center field and scored the next play, which was a single from Whitney.
Pacific couldn’t catch any momentum, going out in order again at the top of the fourth. BYU failed to score Lund, who stole second to place himself in scoring position.
The Tigers stuck with their pattern of three quick outs, and the Cougars returned to bat. Robinson singled up the middle and then moved to second with Whitney reaching on a fielding error from the short stop. Senior Kelton Caldwell reached on a fielder’s choice, moving Robinson to third. Lopez then singled to left field for an RBI, crossing Robinson. Jarvis followed by doubling to left center, bringing home Caldwell. Finally, Starr singled deep to left field for two RBI, Jarvis and Lopez.
The sixth proved no kinder to the Tigers, and BYU continued to dominate. Robinson singled. Lopez also singled, advancing Robinson to second. After a walk and a fielding error, Robinson crossed home plate for the Cougars’ ninth run of the game.
Pacific finally scored in the top of the seventh on a throwing error from Jarvis, BYU’s catcher. With BYU again at bat, Lund doubled to right field and scored after a ground out moved him to third and a deep sacrifice fly brought him home.
Both teams played a scoreless eighth inning and ended quickly in the ninth 10-1 in favor of BYU.
