STOCKTON, California (February 24, 2017)—Extra innings for the third time this week yielded a 10-9 victory in the 10th inning on Friday afternoon for BYU baseball over Northern Colorado.

The Cougars evened their record to 3-3, while UNC fell to 2-5, pending a follow-up game for the Bears against San Jose State to complete a split doubleheader at Billy Hebert Field.

“I can't say enough about our effort today,” BYU coach Mike Littlewood said. “We gave up a big lead early and the guys kept fighting for 10 innings. Nothing's coming easy, but I love the character of this team.”

Brock Hale drew a bases on balls to lead off the 10th inning, stole second and scored on Colton Shaver’s bloop single to center field for the winning run. Reliever Riley Gates evened his record to 1-1 with the win, striking out six in the final 2.2 innings.

Seesaw leads evaporated with UNC going ahead 4-0 in the first inning.

The Cougars batted around in the sixth inning with bases loaded three times to take their first lead of the game.

A one-out standup double in the seventh by Brennon Anderson closed the gap  to 5-3. That double plated Hale, who singled to extend his hitting streak to seven games, and Keaton Kringlen, who had doubled.

Daniel Scheemann worked a full count with bases juiced again and one out in the sixth and placed a two-run double to right center to tie the game at  five-all. Hale, batting again in the inning, drew an RBI walk for a 6-5 lead with two outs.

The Bears responded with a pair of solo dingers in the bottom of the sixth.

A two-run blast by Bronson Larsen in the seventh gave BYU an 8-7 lead, adding to his solo homer in the third. Anderson had doubled for the second time in as many innings to be aboard for Larsen.

Kringlen got his second double of the day in the eighth inning to drive in Hale with two out for a 9-7 margin. Then the Bears tied the game in the bottom of the ninth frame.

The Cougars finish the tournament on Saturday at 2 p.m. PST against host SJSU in a game moved to San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton.

On to the Pacific seaboard from the Atlantic piedmont, BYU’s baseball team hopes to reverse the tide in four games at San Jose, California this week.

The Cougars, 1-2 overall, begin on Thursday in a split doubleheader against Northern Colorado, 1-3,  on Thursday at  noon PST, followed by the 5 p.m. against host San Jose State, 0-2.

Single game rematches against the same teams are on Friday vs. UNC again at noon and on Saturday at 2 p.m. vs. SJSU. Thursday and Friday's games are at Billy Hebert Field in Stockton, California. Saturday's game is at San Joaquin Delta College in Stockton.

Due to rain and field conditions the games have been moved from San Jose’s Municipal Stadium to turf fields in the area.  Game times and live streaming of those games depends on the venue.  Changes will be posted on www.byucougars.com.

Maverik Buffo (0-1, 7.20) will start for BYU in the opener, followed by Brady Corless  (1-0, 3.18) in Thursday’s nightcap.Connor Williams (1-1, 4.85 in 2016) is the Cougars’ probable starter for Friday Kendall Motes  (0-0, 9.00  in 2016) is scheduled to be on the mound on Saturday.

"We are looking forward to getting back on the West Coast after three tough games in Atlanta,” BYU coach Mike Littlewood said.  “The guys played great last week and we look to build on the progress we made during the opening week of play.  Playing four games will give us an opportunity to get Connor Williams and Kendall Motes on the mound to see what they can do.”

BYU hopes to combine its anticipated hitting prowess with impressive pitching demonstrated in last week’s games at the Atlanta Challenge.  In the first two games at Georgia the Cougars out-hit their opponents with solid pitching.  In the 10-inning loss at Georgia State earlier this week, BYU’s hitting was shutdown, but pitching continued to rise to the occasion.

Sophomore Keaton Kringlen’s hitting streak ended at 13 games at GSU where the game could have finished in a tie due to travel restrictions.  Brock Hale’s four-game hitting streak leads BYU, followed by Kyle Dean, Nate Favero and Colton Shaver each with three-game hitting streaks.  Kringlen, Hale, Shaver and David Clawson each have knocked a home run this season.

Following this week’s four-game series, the Cougars return home for a couple days, then are back in California for a three-game series at Cal State Bakersfield next weekend.

For more detailed information, see multi-page PDF below