Cougars lose a heartbreaker to Saint Mary's, 4-3

MORAGA, Calif. — Three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning gave Saint Mary’s a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over BYU in the opening game of a WCC three-game series at Louis Guisto Field on Thursday.

BYU (13-10, 2-5) got on the scoreboard first in the second inning with a Collin Reuter double down the right field line to score Brock Watkins and Jacob Wilk for a 2-0 lead. 

The Gaels (16-10, 1-6) got a run back in the fifth inning on a double and a two-out single to left field before BYU starter Jack Sterner struck out Gavin Napier to end the inning. 

The Cougars responded with a run in the top of the sixth on a Wilk home run down the left field line for a 3-1 advantage. 

After scoreless seventh and eighth innings, a two-run home run to left center by Chris Santiago off BYU closer Reid McLauglin tied the game at 3-3. A double, combined with back-to-back wild pitches gave the Gaels a walk-off 4-3 win. 

Offensive Highlights
  •  Jacob Wilk: 2-4, 2 Hits, RBI, HR
  •  Austin Deming: 2-4, 1 RBI, 2B
  •  Mitch McIntyre: 2-3, BB

Sterner went seven complete innings for the Cougars, striking out a career high 10 batters. BYU pitchers combined for 15 strikeouts, tying a season team high.  

The Cougars and Gaels are back in action on Friday, April 1 at 1:00 p.m. PDT. The game will be streamed live on the WCC Network and broadcast on the BYU Radio Network—107.9 FM, BYUCougars.com and the BYU Cougars app.