BYU baseball looks toward the American flag during the singing of the National Anthem during a home game. BYU's season came to a close against USD. (Elliott Miller)
BYU baseball's season ended in Stockton, California, today at the hands of the No .1 seed University of San Diego. The game came down to the last three outs, ending similarly to the previous game against Pepperdine.
“We need to learn how to finish big games, win them and then move on to regionals,” said BYU coach Mike Littlewood.” It’s baby steps. I hate to lose like this. Right now I feel we should have won two games in this tournament.”
Michael Rucker's pitching kept the Toreros off the board until USD hit a solo home run in the fifth inning. Court Iorg answered for BYU and brought Dillon Robinson in on a single.
USD's Ben Wylly hit a homer at the top of the ninth to tie the game at three, and USD's next two batters all scored.
BYU came into the bottom of the ninth inning down 5-3. Colton Shaver doubled to right field, and BYU had runners on second and third. Jarrett Jarvis grounded out to short and brought home Tanner Chauncey to make the score 5-4.
The Toreros' pitching stifled the Cougars' rally, and the next two batters ground out.
“I feel bad for Kinser and Rucker; they were outstanding,” Littlewood said. “I’m extremely proud of every single game we have played. I knew we would be ready to play today, and we have taken a professional approach all season long. We grind it out, grind it out; that’s the culture we are trying to build here.”
BYU finishes with a 28-25 record and a 16-11 WCC record.