BYU downs ASU 4-2 in Phoenix

PHOENIX — BYU scored two runs in the top of the ninth to defeat Arizona State, 4-2, Friday in game one of a three-game series at Phoenix Municipal Stadium. 

"It was a great team win in a very competitive game,” said BYU head coach Mike Littlewood. “Our pitching was awesome. Sterner really battled and gave us a good start, then Robison came in and shut them out for three innings to pick up the win.”

After four scoreless innings, ASU (3-2) got on the board first in the bottom of the fifth with two runs on three singles and a wild pitch for a 2-0 lead. 

BYU (3-2) responded with a run of its own in the top of the sixth to cut the ASU deficit to 2-1. Cole Gambill scored on a wild pitch after being hit by a pitch and advancing to third on a single to left center by Ryan Sepede. 

The Cougars scratched out another run in the eighth on three walks and a passed ball that plated Mitch McIntyre and tied the game, 2-2. 

In the ninth, BYU scored two runs on two hits to take a 4-2 lead. Hayden Leatham led off the inning with a double to left field. Back-to-back walks by Brock Watkins and McIntyre loaded the bases with just one out. Andrew Pintar then reached first on a fielder’s choice to second that scored Leatham with the go-ahead run. A Gambill infield single to first base scored Watkins and gave BYU a two-run cushion, 4-2.

BYU closer Reid McLaughlin, from nearby Scottsdale, Arizona, came on in the ninth to close out the Sun Devils for his third save of the year. 

“Reid is like a veteran pro pitcher,” said Littlewood. “He knows exactly what he’s doing and makes great in-game adjustments from pitch to pitch. He was great again tonight in closing out the win.”

Notables
 • Jack Sterner: 4.2 IP, 6 K, 6 H, 2 ER, Starter
 • Bryce Robison: 3.0 IP, 3 K, 1 H, O ER, Win
 • Reid McLaughlin: Save
 • Joshua Cowden: 2-4
 • Cole Gambill: 2-4, RBI, 2B, R

The Cougars improve to 3-2 on the season and have won three-straight games. BYU currently has a four-game winning streak versus ASU dating back to May 2011. 

The two teams will square of in game two of the three-game series at Phoenix Municipal Stadium, Friday at 7:00 p.m. The game will be broadcast live on the BYU Sports Network via BYUcougars.com, BYU Cougars App and 107.5 FM in the local Utah market. The game will also be broadcast live on the Pac-12 Network.