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University of the Pacific
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Ralph R. Zobell | Posted: 30 Apr 2015 | Updated: 8 Nov 2020
Ralph R. Zobell

Pacific logs more big hits than Cougars in 4-3 win

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STOCKTON, California—A pair of leads slipped away Thursday night from BYU’s baseball team as Pacific came from behind for a 4-3 victory.

The Cougars (22-20 overall and 11-8 in the West Coast Conference) ended a five-game winning streak with the loss to Pacific (10-32, 8-12).

“This was a good ballgame and Pacific did what they had to do to get the win,” BYU coach Mike Littlewood said. “They got key hits and we didn't.”

BYU jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning after Dillon Robinson’s two-run, 365-foot line-drive home run, his fourth of the season. Sans that belt in the 90-degree heat, the Cougars were unable to come up with any other big hits.

“It's time for 1, 2, 3 and 5 in our lineup to get back on track and help us offensively,” Littlewood said. “We had far too many chances throughout the game to score runs and just gave away at bats.

“We will see what we're made of tomorrow as we try to bounce back from this tough loss.”

A complete game by Kolton Mahoney with seven strikeouts from 123 pitches and errorless play wasn’t enough for the Cougars who out-hit the Tigers 10-8 and stranded eight compared to Pacific’s six left on base.

Meanwhile, the Sullivan brothers delivered for the Tigers. Tyler Sullivan doubled in the first Pacific run in the third. Brett Sullivan hit a solo homer in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2. Brett Sullivan led off with a double in the sixth then scored off Nate Verlin’s single to knot the score at 3-3. Verlin then scored the winning run with one out.

BYU’s Brennon Lund (22), Bronson Larsen (14) and Robinson (7) each extended their consecutive-game hitting streaks.

The two teams meet in the second of a three-game series on Friday at 6 p.m. PDT in a contest streamed live by theW.tv and available on BYU Radio through 960 AM.

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Ralph R. Zobell | Posted: 27 Apr 2015 | Updated: 8 Nov 2020
Ralph R. Zobell

Shaver named WCC Player of Week; next up UVU and Pacific

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PROVO, Utah--Freshman Colton Shaver of BYU was named the Rawlings West Coast Conference Player of the Week on Monday.

BYU’s baseball team (21-19 overall, 11-7 WCC) winner of four straight games last week, hopes to keep the momentum going with help from players like the designated hitter Shaver. The Cougars are at Utah Valley University (13-27) on Tuesday, then resume league play in a three-game series at University of the Pacific (9-32, 6-12).

“I believe our guys are focused and ready to go entering tomorrow's big game with Utah Valley,” BYU coach Mike Littlewood said. “We want to get the week started off right by playing well and hopefully coming away with a win Tuesday night.”

Scheduled to start on the mound for BYU against the Wolverines is freshman Maverik Buffo (0-1, 7.71).

“We've been playing very well of late and want to finish the last three weeks of conference play strong as we make a push to make the conference tournament,” Littlewood said.

Junior Kolton Mahoney (4-4, 4.52) will be BYU’s starting pitcher on Thursday at Pacific, followed by senior Brandon Kinser (5-2, 3.77) on Friday.  Both of those games are scheduled to start at 6 p.m. PDT.  The Cougar starter for Saturday is yet to be announced.

“Pacific hasn't had the season they had hoped for but they are talented and I know Ed (Sprague) will have them ready to play this weekend,” Littlewood said.

Shaver batted .353 (6-17) over the three San Francisco games last week and recorded four home runs to give him 10 on the season. The Cougars out-scored their opponents 30-17 in the four games and Shaver drove in 11 of them for a 1.118 slugging percentage.

Shaver opened the week with a two homer effort against instate rival Utah and then powered home runs in the series opener and the series finale against San Francisco. Five of his six hits were for extra-bases. Shaver leads the league in home runs (10) and total bases (87).

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