Ninth inning nightmare ends BYU’s win streak against UVU
BYU (8-14) traveled to Orem yesterday to face off against UVU (13-10) for the second time this season. BYU won the previous matchup, handling the Wolverines with ease in a 15-7 win at Miller Park. BYU was looking to tack on another win to help them get above .500 on the year before they hit the road to face off against Gonzaga.
Despite BYU gaining an early lead, UVU proved resilient, cutting two 4 run deficits, and sealing their victory with a walk-off single.
BYU exploded onto the scene in the top of the first inning. With the bases loaded, Cooper Vest blasted his fifth home run of the season. Vest, Jacob Wilk, Ryan Sepede, and Luke Anderson all scored on the BYU, giving the Wolverines a mountain to climb up early.
UVU managed to cut into BYU’s four run lead when infielder Trey Cutchen doubled into left field for an RBI. Despite teammate Spencer Olsen advancing to third base on this play, they failed to convert and were left to settle for just one run in the inning.
The second inning went scoreless for BYU, but UVU was able to cut the Cougars’ lead to 2 runs when catcher Lucas Piper struck a solo home run. This was the 31st home run that BYU pitchers have let up so far this year, and the fifth from UVU.
With the score at 4-2, UVU pitcher Devin Smith let up 3 straight hits. Fortunately for Smith, all three resulted in groundouts, ending the top of the third inning. Cutchen made it 2 for 2 for himself at bat, hitting a triple to right center field, letting Patrick Mills score from second base. First baseman Patrick Luna then hit an RBI single to bring Cutchen home.
With everything tied up at 4, Anderson hit a sac fly to end the three-inning scoring drought for BYU. After a goose egg from the Wolverines in the bottom of the fourth, Easton Jones hit a 2-RBI double, his fourth double on the season. Cooper Vest then got another RBI in the sixth innings, giving BYU a 8-4 lead.
After no runs for either team in the seventh and eight inning, BYU was looking to close out the game to earn their ninth win of the year. Holding BYU scoreless in the top of the ninth, UVU began their resurgence. 3 straight errors from BYU allowed Mills to get his second run, drawing the game within three runs for a tie.
UVU then managed to score back to back RBI singles, both forcing unearned runs, making the score 8-7, BYU. Luke Iverson then won the game with a walk-off 2-RBI single to win the game for UVU.
The tough loss comes as a blow for BYU, ending their 14-game win streak over their cross-county rivals. BYU looks to get back on track as they go on the road to play Gonzaga in a three game series starting on Thursday.
