The BYU baseball team split its opening-day doubleheader at Nick Denes Field in Bowling Green, Kentucky, rallying for a comeback 3-2 win in Game 1 before falling 5-2 in Game 2.
The temperatures hovered in the low 60s under sunny skies.
During the first game, both the Cougars and the Hilltoppers scored one run in the second inning. The Hilltoppers scored again in the sixth inning, but the Cougars came back in the ninth inning, scoring two runs to win the game.
Bryker Hurdsman, Luke Anderson, Matt Hansen and Crew McChesney each picked up one hit. Hurdsman hit a double, Anderson and Hansen each hit a single and McChesney hit a solo homer.
The Cougars pulled together in the top of the ninth, when Anderson and Hansen both singled. McChesney reached base on a fielding error, loading the bases. Easton Jones was then hit by a pitch, scoring Anderson. Ryker Schow (pinch runner for Hansen) scored their final run on a deep sac fly to center field from Keoni Painter.
The Cougars’ starting pitcher, Garrison Sumner, pitched three complete innings, giving up two hits and one run. He walked four batters but pitched his way out of several jams. Ashton Johnson entered from the bullpen in the top of the fourth and pitched six innings. Johnson threw 94 pitches and was declared the winning pitcher (1-0).
The Cougars struggled offensively, striking out 10 times. Their team batting average for the game was .129 and they left seven runners on base. They looked better defensively, committing only one error.
During the second game, the Cougars' offensive woes continued. Their team batting average improved to .250, but they struck out 12 times. They were shut out until the ninth inning when they scored two runs, but it wasn't enough to overtake the Hilltoppers.
The Cougars' starter in the second game, Nate Gray, struggled on the mound, walking six batters, giving up two earned runs, throwing wild pitches and getting the loss (0-1). Tyler Ball then pitched 2 2/3 innings giving up a two run homer. Ethan Zufall finished the game off giving up one more earned run.
Splitting the double header was a moral victory of sorts, but BYU's offense and pitching needs work. The teams will finish their four-game series with games Saturday afternoon and Monday afternoon.
