Oklahoma series moved to Las Vegas

Las Vegas is the new site for the BYU-Oklahoma series which was originally scheduled to be hosted this week in Norman by the Sooners.

Due to inclement weather and field conditions in the midwest and at Norman, Okla., the four-game series was moved this week to Las Vegas and Cashman Field, home of the 51's pro baseball team.

Kolton Mahoney (0-1, 4.91) is scheduled to start Thursday's game, starting at 1 p.m., for BYU, followed by teammates Jeff Barker (1-1, 4.09) and Brandon Kinser (0-0, 0.93) in Friday's doubleheader at 1 p.m., and Maverik Buffo (0-0, 3.86) for Saturday's game at 11 a.m., all PDT.

"Our schedule doesn't get any easier as we enter the third week of the season," BYU coach Mike Littlewood said. "Oklahoma has a lot of big, strong, athletic guys that don't get cheated at the plate. Our pitchers need to do a great job of using both sides of the plate and work ahead."

The Cougars (1-7) and Sooners (6-4) were both in the Phoenix area for games last week where BYU won its first game of the season, 8-3, against Nebraska in a four-game series. Cougar freshman Colton Shaver has a four-game hitting streak and belted the only homer of the season last Saturday.

"Offensively we need to do a better job with runners in scoring position, as well as being tougher with two strikes," Littlewood said.

"This weekend will give a couple young guys an opportunity to get some playing time as Tanner (Chauncey) is out with a hamstring injury and Brian Hsu will stay home due to illness. Look for Paxton Larson to start at second base and freshman Grant Hodges to get some time behind the plate."

Following the Oklahoma games, BYU opens its home season next week starting a four-game series against Hartford in Provo.