Oklahoma ends series with 7-1 victory

LAS VEGAS—A pair of first-inning home runs on Saturday ignited Oklahoma to a 7-1 defeat over BYU baseball.

The Sooners (9-5) got another pair of homers in the eighth inning, but it was the pitching of lefty Adam Choplick (1-1) that was most effective against the Cougars (2-10).

“Chopick was just too good today,” BYU Coach Mike Littlewood said. “He was effectively wild at 90-92, and did a nice job working out of jams inning after inning.  Once in a while you have to tip your hat to the other guys and this was one of those days. 

“It seemed as if every inning we threatened them Chopick induced a double play ground ball and got himself out of the inning.

“Maverik (Buffo) left a couple fastballs up in the zone in the first inning and they made him pay, although it was nice to see him make an adjustment and settle in and throw well for the next few innings.”

The Cougars got hits in the second and fourth innings, but grounded into double plays of 4-6-3 and 3-6-1, respectively, before scoring their only run in the sixth frame.

Court Iorg led off with a walk in the sixth and scored on a passed ball after the Sooners got their third double play of the game, leading 4-1. BYU picked up singles the next three innings, but got snuffed out on a fourth double play of the game in the eighth.  Colton Shaver singled in the seventh and ninth to extend his hitting streak to eight games, going 2-for-4 along with teammate Brennon Lund.

“It will be nice to get Tanner (Chauncey) back in the lineup next week, and finally play at home,” said Littlewood, whose team opens the home season in a four-game series on Thursday against Hartford in Provo at Larry H. Miller Field. 

“It's been a grueling three weeks as we've played the one of the toughest schedules in the country, but we are a better, more seasoned team and that will carry us in the long run.”