Walker pitches Cougars to win

PROVO, Utah – In his first start of the season and only the second of his career, sophomore Easton Walker threw a no-hitter through five innings as BYU baseball took the win 3-1 over Portland on Friday night at Larry H. Miller Field.

"We knew this was going to be a low scoring game just because of the two guys going on the mound," BYU head coach Mike Littlewood said. "I tip my hat to our guys. We really fought tonight."

BYU vs. Portland Game 2

Game Summary

• Easton Walker earned his second win of the year, striking out a career-high five batters. Reid McLaughlin and Drew Zimmerman helped close the final three innings, with Zimmerman earning the save
• BYU scored two runs in the fourth inning and added one in the bottom of the eighth
• BYU has now won six-straight at home over Portland dating back to 2015

Player Highlights

• Easton Walker: W (2-1), 6.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 K  
• Mitch McIntrye: 2-4, 2 RBI  
• Danny Gelalich: 1-1, BB, HBP

Walker came into the game having pitched 19.2 innings without allowing an earned run this season in nine relief appearances. Starting for the first time since 2016, the sophomore struck out five batters in six innings while keeping his 0.00 ERA intact.

After three scoreless innings, the Cougars got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. The momentum started as sophomore Jackson Cluff doubled to the warning track in left field to get BYU in scoring position. A single from freshman Austin Deming to center field advanced Cluff to third before sophomore Mitch McIntyre singled up the middle to send Cluff home.

BYU tacked on another run as senior Noah Hill also singled up the middle, driving in Deming to give the Cougars a 2-0 advantage.

Portland cut the Cougars lead in half in the top of the seventh. On their only hit of the night, the Pilots' Cody Hawken singled up the middle and made it home on a sacrifice fly to make the score 2-1.

The Cougars went up by two runs again in the bottom of the eighth. After Deming drew a walk, freshman Hobbs Nyberg subbed in as a pinch runner. Nyberg stole second and advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher. McIntyre tallied his second RBI of the game, singling up the middle and sending Nyberg home to increase the Cougars lead to 3-1.

Drew Zimmerman went three-up, three-down in the top of the ninth to earn his third save of the year as the Cougars took the win 3-1. 

BYU finishes out its series against the Pilots on Saturday, March 23, at 1 p.m. MT at Miller Park. The game will be broadcast on BYUtv while live streaming on BYUtv Digital. Live radio coverage will be available on BYU Radio and ESPN 960 with live stats on the schedule page.