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Feb 26 | 02:00 PM
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Cashman Field
850 Las Vegas Blvd N. Las Vegas NV 89101
Ralph R. Zobell
| Posted: 26 Feb 2015 | Updated: 8 Nov 2020
LAS VEGAS—Oklahoma scored six unanswered runs Thursday afternoon to claim a 7-6 victory over BYU baseball in a series relocated to Cashman Field.
The Sooners (7-4) were scheduled to host BYU (1-8) in Norman, Okla., but the four-game series was moved to Las Vegas a couple days ago due to inclement weather.
“We finally got some clutch two-out RBI, but we couldn't overcome our mistakes to hold the lead,” BYU coach Mike Littlewood said.“Kolton (Mahoney) pitched great through four innings, but threw far too many pitches in his 5 1/3 innings of work.”
Mahoney (0-1) struck out nine Sooners and had a 6-1 lead going into the bottom of the fifth frame.
The Cougars took a 2-0 lead in the first inning, then tacked on four runs in the fifth thanks in part to a two-run double by Dillon Robinson with two outs. Oklahoma also benefited from a two-run, two-out double by Taylor Alspaugh, closing the gap to 6-5 in the sixth before OU the game. Alspaugh also got a triple and BYU freshman Colton Shaver extended his hitting streak to five games with a one-run double.
“With our pitching staff there is no way we should lose a game when we have a five-run lead in the fifth inning,” Littlewood said. “Winning baseball is about quality pitching, playing defense and getting timely hitting and we are having a tough time doing all three in the same game.”
Sophomore Keaton Cenatiempo (0-1) was tagged with the loss in relief.
“We all realize we are playing an extremely tough schedule, but at the same time we have had multiple chances to win games and can't close the deal,” Littlewood said. “When this team develops some mental toughness and realizes its potential we could be very good.”
The two teams meet again in a Friday doubleheader starting at 1 p.m. PST.
Ralph R. Zobell
| Posted: 24 Feb 2015 | Updated: 8 Nov 2020
Las Vegas is the new site for the BYU-Oklahoma series which was originally scheduled to be hosted this week in Norman by the Sooners.
Due to inclement weather and field conditions in the midwest and at Norman, Okla., the four-game series was moved this week to Las Vegas and Cashman Field, home of the 51's pro baseball team.
Kolton Mahoney (0-1, 4.91) is scheduled to start Thursday's game, starting at 1 p.m., for BYU, followed by teammates Jeff Barker (1-1, 4.09) and Brandon Kinser (0-0, 0.93) in Friday's doubleheader at 1 p.m., and Maverik Buffo (0-0, 3.86) for Saturday's game at 11 a.m., all PDT.
"Our schedule doesn't get any easier as we enter the third week of the season," BYU coach Mike Littlewood said. "Oklahoma has a lot of big, strong, athletic guys that don't get cheated at the plate. Our pitchers need to do a great job of using both sides of the plate and work ahead."
The Cougars (1-7) and Sooners (6-4) were both in the Phoenix area for games last week where BYU won its first game of the season, 8-3, against Nebraska in a four-game series. Cougar freshman Colton Shaver has a four-game hitting streak and belted the only homer of the season last Saturday.
"Offensively we need to do a better job with runners in scoring position, as well as being tougher with two strikes," Littlewood said.
"This weekend will give a couple young guys an opportunity to get some playing time as Tanner (Chauncey) is out with a hamstring injury and Brian Hsu will stay home due to illness. Look for Paxton Larson to start at second base and freshman Grant Hodges to get some time behind the plate."
Following the Oklahoma games, BYU opens its home season next week starting a four-game series against Hartford in Provo.
For more detailed information, see multi-page PDF below
