SALT LAKE -- Pounding out the most hits this season, BYU clobbered the University of Utah 13-3 on Thursday.

Junior Patrick Wells (4-2) went the distance for the second time this year, throwing 140 pitches for his fourth victory with BYU (11-19, 1-3 in the Mountain West Conference). The southpaw scattered seven hits in front of 564 fans at Franklin Covey Field. He allowed three runs while striking out seven and walking one.

"(Wells) came in after the eighth and convinced me to let him stay in," said BYU head coach Vance Law. "I normally don't do it, but his mechanics were very good today."

Pitching a perfect game through the first three innings, Wells held the Utes (5-14, 1-3) scoreless into the fifth inning when they scored their first run. A double by Trevor Eastman scored Utah's final two runs in the sixth. Wells, a junior college transfer out of the College of Eastern Utah, then held the Utes scoreless for the final three innings.

"I wasn't worried," Wells said. "I felt really great. Those guys played some great defense behind me today."

The Cougars scored in all but two innings, taking an 8-0 lead into the fifth. Ryan Chambers and Brandon Taylor each went 3-for-5 in the game. Chambers hit a two-run single in the fourth, finishing with four RBI and two runs scored. Taylor belted his sixth home run in the fifth, a two-run shot to left field. He also scored three runs in the game.

After committing 19 errors in the three-game series against UNLV last week, BYU made just one on Thursday. Led by three stolen bases from Wade Vest, the Cougars swiped eight bags on the night including two double steals. The team also clubbed a season high 18 hits.

"Last weekend was an aberration," Law said. "Our pitching and defense have given us our opportunities this year. Today was indicative of all three areas coming together."

BYU will play game two of a three-game series with Utah on Friday at 6 p.m. The game can be listened to live on KOVO 960 AM and BYU Radio through DirectTV and the Dish Network. Live stats and live audio are also available at www.byucougars.com

Brigham Young Univ. at University of Utah

Mar 25, 2004 at Salt Lake City (Franklin Covey Field)

Brigham Young Univ. 13 (11-19,1-3 MWC)

Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB

------------------------------------------------------

CHAMBERS, Ryan cf........ 5 2 3 4 1 0 4 0 0

KNELL, Kory lf........... 3 0 2 1 0 1 1 0 0

HIESTAND, Jeff ph....... 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0

BILLS, Kevin pr/lf...... 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

WIENS, Ranger 3b......... 5 0 1 0 0 2 1 0 2

ITRI, Rob dh............. 4 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 2

SAYLOR, Ben rf........... 5 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0

TAYLOR, Brandon ss....... 5 3 3 2 0 0 4 2 2

LAW, Tim 1b.............. 5 2 2 0 0 0 7 1 0

CLOWARD, Casey c......... 4 1 1 1 1 2 7 0 0

VEST, Wade 2b............ 3 3 2 2 2 0 1 4 0

WELLS, Patrick p......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0

Totals................... 41 13 18 13 4 5 27 8 7

University of Utah 3 (5-14,1-3 MWC)

Player AB R H RBI BB SO PO A LOB

------------------------------------------------------

PENA, Jared 2b........... 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 5 1

KHOURY, Ryan ss.......... 4 1 1 0 0 0 7 2 0

CIARAMELLA, Matt cf...... 2 0 1 0 1 0 3 0 0

OLSON, Tyson dh.......... 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

CHEVALIER, Eric rf....... 4 1 1 0 0 1 2 0 2

EASTMAN, Trevor c........ 4 0 1 2 0 1 6 1 2

WESTFALL, Mike 1b........ 4 1 1 0 0 0 7 1 1

FLOYD, T.J. lf........... 4 0 1 1 0 2 2 1 0

WILSON, Cort 3b.......... 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0

BROSSMAN, Jay 3b........ 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

PRICE, Jason p........... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

McCORD, Shad p.......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0

Totals................... 34 3 7 3 1 7 27 12 6

Score by Innings R H E

-------------------------------------------

Brigham Young Univ.. 120 320 113 - 13 18 1

University of Utah.. 000 012 000 - 3 7 1

-------------------------------------------

E - VEST; BROSSMAN. DP - Utah Utes 1. LOB - BYU Cougars 7; Utah Utes 6. 2B

- HIESTAND; ITRI; PENA; CHEVALIER; EASTMAN; FLOYD. 3B - CHAMBERS; VEST. HR -

ITRI(2); TAYLOR(6). HBP - KNELL; CIARAMELLA. SF - ITRI. SB - CHAMBERS;

TAYLOR; LAW 2; CLOWARD; VEST 3. CS - KNELL; CLOWARD.

Brigham Young Univ. IP H R ER BB SO AB BF

-----------------------------------------------

WELLS, Patrick...... 9.0 7 3 3 1 7 34 36

University of Utah IP H R ER BB SO AB BF

-----------------------------------------------

PRICE, Jason........ 4.1 8 8 8 3 4 19 24

McCORD, Shad........ 4.2 10 5 5 1 1 22 23

Win - WELLS (4-2). Loss - PRICE (1-4). Save - None.

WP - PRICE; McCORD. HBP - by PRICE (KNELL); by WELLS (CIARAMELLA).

Umpires - HP: Ron McCall 1B: Blake Jensen 3B: Keith Bailey

Start: 6:08 Time: 2:39 Attendance: 564

Game notes:

Game 1 of 3

Play-by-Play

Brigham Young Univ. at University of Utah - Play-by-Play

Mar 25, 2004 at Salt Lake City (Franklin Covey Field)

Score by Innings R H E

-------------------------------------------

Brigham Young Univ.. 120 320 113 - 13 18 1

University of Utah.. 000 012 000 - 3 7 1

-------------------------------------------

Brigham Young Univ. starters: 22/cf CHAMBERS; 12/lf KNELL; 8/3b WIENS; 21/dh

ITRI; 25/rf SAYLOR; 3/ss TAYLOR; 1/1b LAW; 9/c CLOWARD; 5/2b VEST; 4/p

WELLS;

University of Utah starters: 3/2b PENA; 2/ss KHOURY; 25/cf CIARAMELLA; 16/dh

OLSON; 5/rf CHEVALIER; 12/c EASTMAN; 6/1b WESTFALL; 14/lf FLOYD; 13/3b

WILSON; 15/p PRICE;

Brigham Young Univ. - inning 1

CHAMBERS walked. KNELL hit by pitch; CHAMBERS advanced to second. WIENS

singled to third base, bunt; KNELL advanced to second; CHAMBERS advanced

to third. ITRI flied out to lf, SF, RBI; CHAMBERS scored. SAYLOR flied

out to ss. WIENS advanced to second on a wild pitch; KNELL advanced to

third. TAYLOR grounded out to ss. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

University of Utah - inning 1

PENA grounded out to ss. KHOURY grounded out to 1b unassisted. CIARAMELLA

flied out to cf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Brigham Young Univ. - inning 2

LAW singled to left field. LAW stole second. CLOWARD struck out swinging.

VEST walked. VEST stole second; LAW stole third. CHAMBERS grounded out to

2b, RBI; VEST advanced to third; LAW scored. KNELL singled through the

left side, RBI; VEST scored. KNELL out at second p to 1b to ss, caught

stealing. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

University of Utah - inning 2

OLSON flied out to cf. CHEVALIER struck out swinging. EASTMAN grounded

out to 2b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Brigham Young Univ. - inning 3

WIENS struck out swinging. ITRI lined out to cf. SAYLOR flied out to ss.

0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

University of Utah - inning 3

WESTFALL out at first 1b to p. FLOYD struck out swinging. WILSON grounded

out to p. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Brigham Young Univ. - inning 4

TAYLOR singled through the left side. LAW flied out to rf. TAYLOR stole

second. CLOWARD singled to center field, RBI; TAYLOR scored. VEST walked;

CLOWARD advanced to second. VEST stole second; CLOWARD stole third.

CHAMBERS singled up the middle, 2 RBI; VEST scored; CLOWARD scored. KNELL

struck out swinging. CHAMBERS stole second. WIENS struck out looking. 3

runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

University of Utah - inning 4

PENA doubled down the rf line. KHOURY lined out to lf. CIARAMELLA walked.

OLSON flied out to ss. CHEVALIER flied out to 3b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0

errors, 2 LOB.

Brigham Young Univ. - inning 5

ITRI doubled down the lf line. SAYLOR grounded out to 2b; ITRI advanced

to third. TAYLOR homered to left center, 2 RBI; ITRI scored. McCORD to p

for PRICE. LAW flied out to cf. CLOWARD lined out to ss. 2 runs, 2 hits,

0 errors, 0 LOB.

University of Utah - inning 5

EASTMAN struck out swinging. WESTFALL singled to shortstop. FLOYD doubled

to center field, advanced to third on a throwing error by 3b, RBI;

WESTFALL scored. WILSON struck out looking. PENA struck out looking. 1

run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.

Brigham Young Univ. - inning 6

BROSSMAN to 3b for WILSON. VEST flied out to ss. CHAMBERS flied out to

cf. KNELL singled up the middle. WIENS grounded out to 2b. 0 runs, 1 hit,

0 errors, 1 LOB.

University of Utah - inning 6

KHOURY singled through the left side. CIARAMELLA singled up the middle;

KHOURY advanced to second. OLSON struck out swinging. CHEVALIER reached

on a fielder's choice; CIARAMELLA out at second ss to 2b; KHOURY advanced

to third. EASTMAN doubled to left center, 2 RBI; CHEVALIER scored; KHOURY

scored. WESTFALL grounded out to 2b. 2 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

Brigham Young Univ. - inning 7

ITRI homered to right field, RBI. SAYLOR singled down the rf line. TAYLOR

flied out to lf. LAW hit into double play 2b to ss to 1b; SAYLOR out on

the play. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

University of Utah - inning 7

FLOYD struck out looking. BROSSMAN grounded out to 1b unassisted. PENA

flied out to ss. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Brigham Young Univ. - inning 8

CLOWARD walked. CLOWARD out at second c to ss, caught stealing. VEST

singled to third base, bunt. VEST stole second, advanced to third on a

wild pitch. CHAMBERS singled down the lf line, advanced to third; VEST

out at home lf to c. HIESTAND pinch hit for KNELL. HIESTAND doubled down

the lf line, RBI; CHAMBERS scored. BILLS pinch ran for HIESTAND. WIENS

reached on an error by 3b; BILLS advanced to third. ITRI grounded out to

p. 1 run, 3 hits, 1 error, 2 LOB.

University of Utah - inning 8

BILLS to lf. KHOURY popped up to ss. CIARAMELLA hit by pitch. OLSON

reached on a fielder's choice; CIARAMELLA out at second 2b to ss.

CHEVALIER doubled through the left side; OLSON advanced to third. EASTMAN

lined out to rf. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.

Brigham Young Univ. - inning 9

SAYLOR grounded out to 2b. TAYLOR singled through the left side. LAW

singled through the right side; TAYLOR advanced to third. CLOWARD struck

out looking. VEST tripled through the left side, 2 RBI; LAW scored;

TAYLOR scored. CHAMBERS tripled through the right side, RBI; VEST scored.

BILLS flied out to rf. 3 runs, 4 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.

University of Utah - inning 9

WESTFALL flied out to cf. FLOYD flied out to cf. BROSSMAN grounded out to

2b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.

Beginning a nine-game road trip, BYU travels to Salt Lake City for a three-game series with the University of Utah starting this Thursday.

The Utes (5-13, 1-2 in the Mountain West Conference) will host the Cougars (10-19, 0-3) at Franklin Covey Field with Thursday and Friday's games beginning at 6 p.m. and a noon start on Saturday. Patrick Wells (3-2, 5.07) will get the opening-series start on Thursday with Paul Jacinto (0 6, 6.80) starting on Friday and Justin Su'a (2-1, 3.59) on Saturday.

The Cougars are 188-84-1 all-time against the University of Utah. Last year, BYU swept the Utes in regular-season action, winning all six games. The Cougars also knocked Utah out of the MWC Tournament with a 7-6 win last May. In the final regular-season game against the Utes last May at Provo, BYU rallied to score two runs in the ninth to win 7-6.

The 7-0 record against Utah in 2003 is the first time in 13 years the Cougars have gone undefeated against the Utes. BYU was 4-0 in 1990 against Utah. The Cougars have gone 39-23 against the Utes the past 10 years.

Two nail biters and a blowout sum up BYU's three-game series with UNLV last week in Provo. The Cougars lost 12-9 in 11 innings on Thursday after seven lead changes were exchanged with the Rebels. UNLV came back on Friday with a 17-1 blowout. Saturday, BYU had a comfortable 5-0 lead entering the fifth before giving up eight runs in the eighth inning of a 12 6 Rebels' win. Errors were plentiful for the Cougars as they committed 19 in the series accounting for 17-unearned runs.

On Thursday, Ranger Wiens threw out three runners at home in one game, and on Friday Wade Vest had a 10-game hitting streak end and BYU had the seventh-largest home crowd, drawing 2,293 fans. Brandon Taylor hit his team-leading fifth home run on Saturday.

All three BYU-Utah games can be listened to live on KOVO 960 AM and are also available on DirectTV and the Dish Network through the BYU Radio channel and over the Internet. All three games can also be followed live with Gametracker. Links to the webcasts and audio casts can be found at www.byucougars.com.