BYU sweeps doubleheader from Nebraska on Friday

LINCOLN, Neb. — BYU baseball swept a doubleheader from Nebraska on Friday to take a 2-1 lead in the four-game series being played at Haymarket Park. The Cougars came from behind in both games to earn a 3-2 win in game one and 7-6 victory in the nightcap. 

“We talked before the game about being tough at the plate and making their pitchers work hard on the mound,” said BYU interim head coach Trent Pratt. “We really battled in both games. I’m real proud of the way the guys just kept fighting. I thought it was two very good team wins today.” 

GAME ONE
Nebraska scored first in the fourth inning with a leadoff home run by Max Anderson and a hit-by-pitch on Griffin Everitt, who eventually came around to score on a wild pitch for a 2-0 lead. 

The Cougars responded with three runs in the top of the fifth. With one out and bases loaded, Dawsen Hall singled to left field to score Austin Demin and Alex Sardina to tie the score at 2-2. Ozzie Pratt then delivered a sacrifice fly to center field that scored Bryan Call for what would be the winning run. 

The Cougars got outstanding pitching performances from Ryan Brady (3.2), Cy Nielson (1.0), Cooper McKeehan (1.1) and Reid McLaughlin, surrendering just two hits and two earned runs over the seven-inning game. Nielson (2-0) got the win while McLaughlin got the save, his sixth of the year. The BYU bullpen faced 13 Nebraska batters, holding them hitless in the win. 

GAME TWO
Nebraska scored first again in game two with single runs in the first and second innings to take a 2-0 lead through the first two frames. 

BYU responded with two runs in the top of the third to tie the game. After Mason Strong reached first on a Cornhusker fielding error, Hall homered to right center for a 2-2 tie. Nebraska responded with another run in the bottom of the third to retake the lead, 3-2.

The Cougars took their first lead in the sixth inning, with three hits and walk for a 5-3 lead. Ryan Sepede led off the inning with a double, followed by a walk by Deming. Hayden Leatham singled to left to score Sepede, before Sardina doubled to bring home both Leatham and Deming for the two-run lead. 

The Cougars picked up another run in the seventh off a sacrifice fly by Deming to center field to score Pratt for a 6-3 advantage. The lead didn’t last long as the Cornhuskers scored three in the bottom half of the inning for a 6-6 tie. 

Leading off the top of the eighth, Mason Strong hit a 3-2 pitch over the wall in right field for what would become the winning run. 

Carter Smith (1-0) got the win while Nate Dahle picked up his first save of the season. 

The final game of the four-game series is scheduled for Saturday at 11:05 CDT at Haymarket Park. The game will be broadcast live on the Big 10+ Network as well as the BYU Radio Network—BYUcougars.com, BYU Cougars App and 107.9 FM in the local Utah market.