SALT LAKE CITY (May 13, 2014)—Utah scored three runs in the ninth inning to come from behind Tuesday night for a 5-4 victory over BYU baseball.

The rivalry lived up to its name as the Cougars lost leads of 2-0 and 4-2. BYU fell to 19-31, while Utah improved to 16-30. Due to multiple promotionals, including free admission for children, a line formed around the perimeter of Smith’s Ballpark, attributing to the attendance of 3,800.

“We left too many runners on base (BYU 8, Utah 4),” BYU coach Mike Littlewood said. “It doesn’t matter what the batting average or records are in this rivalry. Usually the team who gets the last at bat is going to win. It’s frustrating this year, I’ve never seen anything like it. It’s the same stuff, just a different day. In the seventh and eighth Hayden (Rogers) was so sharp with all three pitches, but then he started missing.”

The Utes and Cougars split the four-game series, with BYU winning the first two and earning the Deseret First Duel trophy for the baseball series by virtue of a 39-21 run differential.

In the final game of the series, BYU struck first when Kelton Caldwell got a two-out, standup double to left center in the second inning and scored after Jarrett Jarvis battled at the plate, then singled to right field for a 1-0 lead.

When Brennon Lund walked, then advanced to third on Hayden Nielsen’s single to right field, the Cougars looked poised to score again in the third, but Dillon Robinson grounded into a 5-4-3 inning-double play.

Desmond Poulson registered his fourth strikeout swinging to end the third with Utes on second and third base. He followed up ending the fourth with his fifth strikeout, this time called with a runner on first.

Pinch-hitter Eric Urry hit a one-out double to the rightfield corner, where it was misplayed and he advanced to third. Urry then scored on Trace Hansen’s sac-fly for a 2-0 lead.

With one swing on an 0-2 count, Konnor Armijo swatted a two-run, two-out homer to tie the game 2-2 in the sixth.

Errant Ute pitches loaded the bases in the sixth as BYU took a 3-2 lead off Lund’s ground-out before Hayden Rogers relieved Poulson on the mound.

The Cougars tacked on what appeared to be a fourth insurance run in the ninth, leading off with back-to-back doubles by Urry and Hansen.

The Cougars next play Thursday at 3 p.m. PDT, when they start a three-game series in a return to league play at Portland.

Some goals were not realized by BYU’s baseball team, but there are still a couple within reach as it closes the season this week with four games.

First up for the Cougars (19-30 overall, 9-15 in West Coast Conference) is a Tuesday rematch at Utah (15-30, 4-20 in Pac-12). Tuesday’s game at 7 p.m. MDT, will be televised live by the Pac-12 Network, pitting BYU senior righthander Desmond Poulson (4-5, 4.44) against lefty Tanner Banks (2-6, 6.35).

The Cougars won the first two of four games against Utah, building up a 34-16 lead in the run differential which could play a factor in determining the winner of the Deseret First Duel baseball portion.

“As we go into the last week of the season our one focus as a team is to play each game with passion and intensity,” BYU coach Mike Littlewood said.   “We haven't had the season we wanted to have, nor did we meet the goals we set as a team, but we still have a huge game at Utah on Tuesday and three league games at Portland.  We will play hard until the season is over.”

Jeff Barker (5-5, 4.23) and Kolton Mahoney (5-6, 4.37) will be BYU’s starters at Portland in games on Thursday and Friday at 3 p.m. PDT. Friday’s game will be streamed live on TheW.tv. Saturday’s BYU starter is TBA.

Rarely has BYU been able to end its season on a winning note due to post-season play, which eluded the Cougars this year.

For more information please see the multi-page PDF game notes below: