BYU baseball takes game two against Omaha
BYU faced off against Omaha this afternoon in game two of the three game series. BYU won the first game of the series 12-11, in a walk off win that took 10 innings to be decided. BYU looked to get their fourth win of the season and increase their win streak to three games.
BYU would handle Omaha in a convincing fashion, beating them 8-4. Pitcher Bryce Robison had a good night, while Cole Gambill and Jacob Wilk were stellar at bat. Robison talked after the game about finishing off the series sweep.
“Our pitcher got to do a good job, and our batters need to not chase after any loose balls,” Robison explained. “Omaha is a pretty good team, but they’re definitely a team I think we should sweep.”
The Mavericks took no time to pick up where they left off the night before, scoring three runs in the top of the first inning. Eddie Satisky hit an RBI double, followed by Brennen Bales striking a two run RBI single. BYU right-handed pitcher Bryce Robison was able to close out the inning, with Omaha taking the 3-0 lead.
The series would continue to be a high scoring affair. Cole Gambill would help the Cougars fight back, hitting an RBI homer, letting him and his brother, Tate, score. This brought them within one run as the first inning closed out.
Satisky would get his second RBI on the game in the top of the third inning on a ground out to first base, allowing Drew Lechnir to scored. As the snow flurries began at Miller Park, Drew’s brother, Zach, caused the Mavericks to retire the inning with a pop fly ball for out number three.
Later in the bottom of the fifth, last night’s hero Jacob Wilk hit a double into center field. Easton Jones then would bring Wilk home with his third RBI on the series. The helped the Cougs cut the Mavs lead in half, the score now 4-3.
After keeping Omaha off the board in the sixth, Austin Deming got his first hit of the game, an RBI single, the score coming from Ozzie Pratt. Tate Gambill would then give BYU the lead, as Cole Gambill reached on a fielder’s choice, 5-4 BYU. An error from Omaha catcher Eduardo Rosario allowed Cole Gambill to run home and Ryan Sepede to take third base. Easton Jones followed up with a sac fly RBI, with Sepede scoring, making the score 7-4 BYU over Omaha.
Coach Pratt praised his team after the game for their veteran experience in the lineup, making them a dangerous lineup, from Gambill to Sepede. Gambill, Sepede, and Wilk, all seniors, combined for five of BYU’s eight runs.
After Robison was replaced in the top of the eight inning by junior Mason Olsen, BYU was able to keep Omaha scoreless for the fifth straight inning. Omaha was threatening however, with a man on first and second base. With 2 outs on the board, Jacob Wilk smashed a solo home run into center field, hitting the top of the outfield barrier and bouncing out of play. BYU closed the inning up 8-4.
Omaha now needing at least 4 runs to force a second extra-inning games, the Mavericks were able to quickly get two men on 1st and 2nd base. They were unable to convert as Olsen threw a strikeout to close the game, winning it for the Cougars 8-4. Coach Pratt talked after the game about Robison’s pitching.
“I don’t think he struggled, Bryce just settled down and get the ball where he wanted,” Pratt said in response to Omaha early success at bat. “We know it’s a long game. Three runs in the first, we still have got eight more innings and this team just does a good job of playing hard.”
Quick Stats
- RHP Bryce Robison: 7 IP, 6H, 4R, 2K
- CF Cole Gambill: 2H, 2R, 3 RBI
- 1B Jacob Wilk: 2H, 2R, 1 RBI, 1 HR
After picking up their fourth win on the season, BYU will look to complete the sweep of Omaha tomorrow at 12 MST.
