Larsen's 10th-inning run gives BYU 3-2 win against San Francisco

PROVO, Utah—Bronson Larsen's 10th-inning run gave BYU baseball a 3-2 victory and the series sweep over league-leading San Francisco Saturday afternoon at Miller Park.  

"We did a great job of just persevering today," BYU head coach Mike Littlewood said. "(Michael) Rucker gutted it out. You've got to pat him on the back for it. He did an incredible job today for us, as did Mason (Marshall) coming in late in the game. Every game is a must-win for us from here on out in conference play."

BYU's (21-19, 11-7 West Coast Conference) Brennon Lund extended his hitting streak to 20 games while Larsen extended his to 13 games. Colton Shaver went 1-for-4 with his 10th home run of the season and two RBI in the close win.

With the win, BYU collects its first series sweep of the season in the league.

The Cougars had runners on second and third in the bottom of the 10th before a wild pitch got away from the catcher with Lund up to bat, scoring the Larsen run and winning the game for BYU 3-2.

The Dons (22-23, 14-7 WCC) had two hits in the first inning before Lund singled up the middle on the first pitch for the Cougars. BYU and San Francisco were then both retired in order in the second and third innings.

The Dons' Brendan Hendriks singled to get on base to start the fourth, but a double play from the shortstop Hayden Nielsen to the first baseman Dillon Robinson ended the inning. San Francisco countered in the bottom with a double play of its own to end the inning for the Cougars. 

With runners on second and third for the Dons, an RBI single to right field gave San Francisco a run before a throw from right fielder Eric Urry to home plate ended the top of the inning. In the bottom of the fifth, Robinson bunted just over the head of the pitcher allowing him to get on base, but BYU couldn't capitalize to end the inning, leaving two runners on base.

After a scoreless sixth inning, Tanner Chauncey found the gap down center field to single onto base. Shaver followed that up with a two-run home run to give the Cougars a 2-1 advantage in the bottom of the seventh.

In the eighth, a walk for the Dons with the bases loaded tied the game at two runs apiece, which ultimately sent the game to its extra inning following a scoreless ninth. Urry took the first of two bean balls in the 10th and will be sidelined four to six weeks with a broken finger.

The Cougars travel next to nearby Utah Valley Tuesday at 6 p.m. MDT. The game will be broadcast live on BYU Radio. Links to live stats and a video feed can be found on the BYU baseball schedule.