The BYU baseball team swept Santa Clara over the weekend to finish its regular season with a 37-15 overall record and a 18-9 record in the West Coast Conference.
The Cougars were led by starter Michael Rucker during game one’s 8-2 victory. Rucker went seven innings and struck out five, improving to 11-0 on the season.
“He’s a winner,” BYU head coach Mike Littlewood said of Rucker. “I’m proud of how he played today.”
Shortstop Hayden Nielsen and right fielder Keaton Kringlen combined to go 4-for-7 and drove in four runs.
Daniel Schneemann won game two for the Cougars.
BYU entered the bottom of the 9th trailing 8-6, but Brennon Lund singled and Nielsen walked to put runners on first and second. Tanner Chauncey then singled, bringing home Lund and Eric Urry followed suit, driving in another run before Schneemann’s sacrifice fly gave the Cougars a walk-off win.
Littlewood said the home-field advantage was real.
“Honestly, I loved the energy in the stadium,” Littlewood said. “It helped carry us to the win.”
Hot bats propelled BYU to a win in game three.
The Cougars collected 13 hits and scored 10 runs en route to a 10-5 victory and series sweep.
Brennon Anderson was a force at the plate, driving in four runs on two hits.
The Cougars have clinched a spot in the WCC tournament, but their opponent has yet to be determined. They will play either Gonzaga, St. Mary’s or Pepperdine on May 26.
