Cougars drop game two of series at Utah

SALT LAKE CITY — BYU baseball gave up four-runs in the bottom of the fourth inning and never recovered, losing 7-1 to the University of Utah on Friday at Smith’s Ballpark.

Utah took a 1-0 lead in bottom of the second inning, then added four more in the fourth on two hits to go up 5-0. After a scoreless fifth inning, Utah picked up two more in the sixth to extend the lead to 7-0. The early lead gave Utah starter Kyle Robeniol all the runs he needed as the senior surrendered just two hits over six innings for the win. 

BYU got on the board with a run in the seventh after stranding runners on base in the second, fourth and fifth innings. Josh Cowden led off the seventh inning with a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. A single to center field by Jacob Wilk scored Cowden to make the score 7-1. 

BYU threatened again in the eighth but stranded Bryan Call on second to end the inning. Down to its last at bat, BYU loaded the bases in the ninth on a walk by Freddy Achecar, a hit by pitch to Hunter Swapp and a single by Abraham Valdez, but a line out to third and a strike out ended the game.

Player Highlights
• Cowden: 1-3, BB, 1R
• Wilk: 1-4, 1B, 1RBI

The Cougars are back in action on Saturday at 3:10 p.m. for game three of the weekend series with Utah. The BYU home opener will be played at Miller Park in Provo and will be broadcast live on BYUtv and the BYUtv App, as well as the BYU Sports Network: BYU Radio FM 107.7, BYUCougars.com and the BYU Cougars app. The Cougars opened the season with 13-straight road games in Texas, Oregon and Salt Lake City.