New Mexico State, then UConn in 4-game home stand this week

A second consecutive four-game home stand is on tap this week for BYU baseball (7-7), beginning with Tuesday’s single game against New Mexico State (10-8).

“We have another tough week ahead of us with New Mexico State and UConn coming to Miller Park,” BYU coach Mike Littlewood said. “Both programs are very well coached and have great baseball tradition.”

Following the NMSU game, the Cougars host a three-game series starting Thursday against UConn (8-5 prior to Tuesday night at Santa Clara). The Cougars have a second chance to go above the .500 mark in winning percentage since the opening weekend of the season.

Senior Keaton Cenatiempo (0-0, 9.00) will get his first start of the season against the NMSU Aggies who won the last of a three-game series over the weekend at Utah.

The Cougars have settled in on a rotation for the second week in a row with Maverik Buffo (1-3, 5.06), Brady Corless (2-0, 3.33) and Hayden Rogers (1-0, 1.89) scheduled to start the UConn series.

Sophomore rightfielder Brock Hale continues to lead the team with a .436 batting average and a 15-game hitting streak. Senior Brennon Anderson raised his batting average from .282 to .404 following BYU taking three of four games from UC Santa Barbara.

Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday’s games will be televised live by BYUtv, while ESPN 960 AM Radio has added broadcasting Friday’s 6 p.m. game to its schedule. Game times are 6 p.m. MDT for Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, while Saturday’s tilt begins at 1 p.m.

Thursday at Miller Park is one of four head-to-head contests at Miller Park’s unique back-to-back fields this year when both BYU baseball and softball play at the same time. Softball hosts Wagner in a doubleheader starting at 4 p.m.