Cougars drop game one to Pilots

PROVO, Utah — BYU baseball dropped game one of a three-game series against Portland 5-3 on Thursday at Miller Park.

The Cougars got off to an early lead plating one run in the first with Cooper Vest, who doubled earlier in the inning and scored on a bloop single to right by Andrew Pintar. 

Portland took the lead in the top of the fourth after a double to left, combined with two infield errors by the Cougars, gave the Pilots a 2-1 lead. 

After Pintar walked to start the bottom of the fourth, Joshua Cowden crushed the first pitch he saw to right putting BYU back in front, 3-2.

The Cougars threatened in the sixth with runners on second and third and two outs, but Freddie Achecar struck out to end the inning. In the top of the seventh, the Pilots capitalized on another BYU error, scoring three runs to take the lead back at 5-3.

"Unfortunately our defense let us down tonight," said BYU head coach Mike Littlewood. "We need to get back to the basics and make plays." 

Portland scored five runs on nine hits, while the Cougars scored three runs on six hits.

Player Notes

• Walker: 4.1 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, BB, 4 K
• Pintar: 2-3, R, RBI
• Cowden: 1-4, HR, 2 RBI

Game two of the series with the Pilots is scheduled for Friday, April 9, at 6 p.m. MDT. The game will be broadcast live on BYUtv and the BYUtv App. Audio broadcasts will also be available on the BYU Sports Network—BYU Radio FM 107.9, BYUCougars.com and the BYU Cougars app. Ticket information can be found at BYUtickets.com