Sterner surrenders just one hit as BYU wins its season opener

RUSTON, Louisiana — BYU opened the 2023 baseball season with a commanding 10-1 win over LA Tech behind a one-hit pitching gem by junior starter Jack Sterner at Pat Patterson Park in Ruston on Friday night. 

The Cougar right-hander went seven complete innings, allowing just one hit while striking out three and retiring 13 of the final 14 Broncos he faced. 

“I can’t say enough about what Jack did tonight,” said BYU head coach Trent Pratt. “He is a competitor and is going to compete every time he takes the mound. That’s just who he is, and he was suburb on the mound tonight.”

Game Summary

• Sterner (1-0) earned the win and combined with Mason Olson to allow just four hits, one run, no walks and five strikeouts.
• BYU scored runs in five of the nine innings, including four runs in the eighth, two in the third and sixth, as well as single runs in the second and fifth. 
• Cougar hitters combined for 15 hits on the night, including seven doubles and a solo home run by right fielder Ryan Sepede. 

Player Highlights

• Jack Sterner: W, 7.0 IP, 1 H, 3 K
• Ryan Sepede: 2-4, HR, BB, 3 RBI
• Cole Gambill: 2-4, 2 2B, BB, 2 Runs
• Ozzie Pratt: 3-6, 2 2B, RBI, Run

The Cougars (1-0) got on the board early in the second inning with a double by designated hitter Safea Mauai, followed by an RBI single from first baseman Jacob Wilk for a 1-0 lead. BYU then scored two more in the third with a leadoff walk by left fielder Luke Anderson, a double by Gambill and a two-RBI single by Sepede for a 3-0 advantage. 

“It was a great night all-around for our team,” said Sterner. “LA Tech was super aggressive at the plate early and I just tried to hit spots and get ahead in the count. It was fun sitting on the bench and watching our guys hit balls in gaps and score runs. That allowed me to be aggressive on the mound.”

BYU added to its lead with a run in the fifth off a solo blast to right center by Sepede and picked up two more in the sixth when Pratt doubled to left center to score catcher Bryant Ball before by left fielder Anderson singled to plate Pratt. 

Four insurance runs in the top of the eighth wrapped the BYU scoring, while LA Tech (0-1) got on the board with a run in the bottom of the eighth inning for the 10-1 final. 

The Cougars and the Broncos will face off again in a doubleheader on Saturday at Pat Patterson Park. Game one is scheduled for 2 p.m. CST, with game two getting underway at approximately 5 p.m. 

Both games will be broadcast live on the BYU Radio App with Jason Shepard on play-by-play. Game one will also be broadcast in the northern Utah market on BYU Radio 107.9 FM. In addition, LA Tech will broadcast the games on CUSA.tv.