Catcher Colton Shaver bunts the ball against Portland on April 4. (Elliott Miller)
The Cougars and Utes went their separate ways after leaving the Mountain West Conference in 2011, but that hasn't prevented the longtime rivals from playing each other in at least three single-game series each year following the split. The added intensity of the matchups has continued to transfer onto the diamond, proving that what the rivalry may lack in quantity is made up for in quality.
BYU is 6-5 against Utah since 2012, taking two out of three games in 2012 and 2013 while splitting four games in 2014. Five of the 11 games have been decided by one run, and two have been decided in extra innings.
'It is a huge must-win game, especially for recruiting here in Utah, and so our focus is really good going into these games,' BYU head coach Mike Littlewood said. 'In fact, we almost need to tone down the focus and intensity a little to make sure we don't start getting that 'football mentality,' and just play our game.'
The two last met up at Smith's Ballpark in late March, where Utah won its third game straight against the Cougars in a game cut short due to rain.
'We did feel a little bit cheated after that game,' senior infielder Parker Starr said. 'We all wanted to get back in there and put up a fight until the very end, whether it was raining or not, but unfortunately there was nothing we could do about it.'
This time the Cougars will get the home field advantage.
'We are going to approach this game just like every other game we play, by focusing on our strengths and on our ball game, not on the other team,' Littlewood said.
The rivalry continues this month as the Cougars host the Utes at Miller Park on April 21.