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Apr 03 | 06:00 PM
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How to Watch/Listen
- BYUtv
- ESPN 960 AM | Provo, UT
- BYU Radio - Sirius XM 143
Miller Park
400 E University Parkway Provo UT 84604
Jack Urquhart
| Posted: 3 Apr 2015 | Updated: 8 Nov 2020
PROVO, Utah – Conference cellar dweller Portland nearly got a complete game from pitcher Kurt Yinger as the Pilots beat BYU 6-3 Friday night at Larry H. Miller Field.
“We swung our bats alright, but we hit it right at them and they turned some double plays,” BYU head coach Mike Littlewood said. “You can't sleep on Portland. They're going to compete, and that's what we saw tonight.”
Brennon Lund extended his hitting streak to 10 games for the Cougars (13-17, 5-6) and reliever Brady Corless kept the Cougars within striking distance.
Portland (7-25, 2-9) put the first two runs on the board in the top of the second as a pick-off attempt from BYU starter Jeff Barker sailed past third baseman Dillon Robinson, scoring a run and advancing a runner to third. The second run scored on an RBI groundout.
Hitless through the first three innings, BYU's bats came alive in the bottom of the fourth inning, plating two runs on three hits. Lund and Derrick Whitney roped back-to-back singles up the middle and advanced into scoring position on a sacrifice bunt from Hayden Nielsen. Tanner Chauncey grounded out to third to score Lund and Robinson singled through the box to score Whitney and knot the game at 2-2.
In the top of the fifth, Barker walked Pilot lead-off hitter Grant Taylor. After sitting down the next two hitters, Barker allowed three consecutive doubles and three runs as the senior was chased from the game after 4.2 innings, six hits, four earned runs and a 5-2 Cougar deficit.
Portland added to its lead in the top of the ninth when Kevin Wade, who ended the game with three hits and two RBI, doubled to score Taylor and put the Pilots up 6-2. The relief effort from Corless concluded with 4.1 innings pitched, four hits and one earned run.
BYU loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the ninth, but was only able to push one across on a sacrifice fly from Eric Urry. Portland reliever Carl Snaring earned his second save with three straight outs after Yinger loaded the bases. Yinger's outing was good enough for his first win of the season.
The Cougars and Pilots meet again at noon MDT for the rubber match of the series with live coverage on theW.tv and radio on KOVO 960 AM, including live streaming.
Ralph R. Zobell
| Posted: 31 Mar 2015 | Updated: 8 Nov 2020
A confidence-boosting upset helps BYU’s baseball team as it returns to league action at home against Portland starting Thursday.
BYU (12-16 and 4-5 in the West Coast Conference) is riding the crest of a 4-0 shutout over No. 29 San Diego State last Monday. The Cougars host the Pilots (5-24 and 1-8) in a three-game series on Thursday and Friday at 6 p.m. MDT, and on Saturday at noon.
“We are looking forward to getting back to Miller Park after a tough week on the road,” BYU coach Mike Littlewood said. “We just want to get back to playing good, solid, fundamental baseball.”
The upset at SDSU halted a four-game losing streak from last week when BYU fell out of a second-place tie with three losses at first-place San Diego and a come-from-behind loss at rival Utah.
“This is such an important series for us as we try to work our way back into the top four in the standings,” Littlewood said. “We realize the importance of taking care of business at home, especially during conference play.
“I fully expect our guys to come out with energy and renewed commitment to reaching our goals.”
Starting on the mound on Thursday is Kolton Mahoney and Jeff Barker on Friday in games televised live by BYUtv. Saturday’s starter in the noon game is Brandon Kinser. Waiting in the wings is reliever Michael Rucker who has a dozen appearances and the one start in last Monday’s upset win.
