PROVO, Utah – Mason Marshall tied the school saves record as No. 18 BYU baseball came back for a 7-6 win and series sweep over Utah Valley in the UCCU Crosstown Clash on Tuesday at Larry H. Miller Field.

"It was a tough game," BYU head coach Mike Littlewood said. "They came and played really well. We played nine innings and made them make plays. We gutted it out tonight."

Marshall's 15th career save helped BYU to a 3-0 season record against Utah Valley. The Cougars (33-15) came in having already clinched the season series with wins in the first two games against the Wolverines (16-33).

BYU got its first two runs in the first and third innings, with Daniel Schneemann driving in Brennon Anderson both times. Schneemann came around on a Tanner Chauncey double to left-center and the Cougars led 3-2 after three.

Utah Valley scored three in the fourth frame thanks in part to David Modler’s two-run triple, his first of a UVU-record two three-baggers in one game, that eluded a diving Keaton Kringlen in centerfield.

The Wolverines tacked on to their lead via Trevor Howell’s one-run double to left field. They led 6-3 at the seventh-inning stretch.

Reigning Rawlings West Coast Conference Player of the Week Brock Hale crushed a two-run homer to left-center in the bottom of the seventh to cut BYU’s deficit to 6-5.

"Brock (Hale) gave us a great lift," Littlewood said. "If he doesn't hit that homer, I'm not sure we win the game."

In the eighth, the Cougars had runners on first and second when the Utah Valley second baseman’s errant throw to first scored Brian Hsu, who was pinch running. Chauncey then singled to plate Anderson and put BYU up 7-6.

Marshall put the first two Wolverines on in the ninth before getting the lead runner at third on a sacrifice bunt attempt, fanning a hitter and inducing a game-ending groundout to short. He tied former Major Leaguer Ryan Hancock's (1991-93) program record with 15 career saves.

A committee of Jordan Wood, Kendall Motes, Colton Shaver, Bo Burrup and Marshall fulfilled pitching duties for the Cougars. Burrup (3-2) got the win.

BYU plays at Gonzaga in its final regular-season series, which begins Thursday at 6 p.m. PDT. One win would secure an outright WCC title for the Cougars.

At least share of first place in the West Coast Conference is guaranteed for BYU baseball’s team that remains ranked No. 18 prior to hosting Utah Valley University on Tuesday night.

The Cougars (32-15 and 20-4 in the WCC) can win their first outright league title with one win in the three-game series at Gonzaga. But first BYU needs to finish out the home season against UVU (16-32) in the UCCU Crosstown Clash with Jordan Wood (4-0, 6.12) starting for the Cougars.

Gonzaga (28-17 and 17-7) is tied for second in the WCC with Loyola Marymount and could create a co- or tri- championship title with a sweep by either or both of these teams this week.

Currently the Cougars are seeded no worse than third for the WCC Tournament in two weeks at Stockton, California. A win by either Gonzaga or LMU would fill two of the remaining three spots for the tourney. San Diego and Saint Mary’s are still in contention for the fourth spot.

For the second week in a row, BYU is ranked No. 18 in the nation by Collegiate Baseball magazine. However, Cougar first baseman Tanner Chauncey dropped to No. 2 in the NCAA in the category toughest to strike out (now eight times in 194 at bats).

Sophomore Brock Hale became the second Cougar to earn Rawlings WCC Player of the Week honors, joining Keaton Kringlen. Hale has led the team in batting average since the end of February and had nine RBI last week, including home runs against Utah to start the week and in the final game against Portland.

At Gonzaga, the Cougars will continue with their three-man pitching rotation of Maverik Buffo (6-5, 5.37), Brady Corless (6-0, 4.91) and Hayden Rogers (7-1, 3.46). Saturday’s final game of the BYU-Gonzaga series will be televised nationally at 7:30 p.m. PDT by ESPNU with Roxy Bernstein and Wes Chandler as the announcers. The games on Thursday and Friday will start at 6 p.m. PDT. Friday’s game will be streamed on theW.tv with George Devine and Alex Jensen calling the action.

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