Baseball drops final game of series at LA Tech

RUSTON, Louisiana — BYU baseball split its four-game series with LA Tech on Monday, dropping game four, 10-2, at Pat Patterson Park in Ruston.

The Cougars are now 2-2 on the year, as they head south to Lafayette, Louisiana, to take on the Ragin’ Cajuns in a four-game series scheduled for Feb. 22-25 at M. L. Tigue Moore Field at Russo Park. 

“I felt like we gave them too many opportunities early,” said BYU head coach Trent Pratt. “It was a close game early and we had our changes. Mason Olsen came out of the bullpen and kept the game close but we just couldn’t get the big hit when we needed it tonight. You’re going to have nights like that. Hopefully we can learn from it.”

Game Summary
  •  LA Tech hit .290 (9-31) versus BYU at .167 (5-30)
  •  The Bulldogs scored 10 runs on nine hits
BYU Highlights
  •  Brock Watkins: 1-2, 2 RBI
  •  Austin Deming: 1-3, Run
  •  Ryan Sepede: 2-4, Run
  •  Mason Olsen: 4.1 IP, 1 ER

LA Tech jumped out to an early lead with one run in the first inning. The Cougars answered with two runs in the top of the second on singles by Austin Deming and Ryan Sepede, followed by a Safea Mauai walk to load the bases. Brock Watkins then singled up the middle to drive in two runs for a 2-1 lead. 

The Bulldogs scored three runs in the bottom of the third on three walks, two hit batters and a single by Brody Drost for a 4-2 advantage. After three scoreless innings, LA Tech tacked on a run in the sixth and four more in the seventh to push the lead to 9-2. A solo home run in the eighth inning made the final score 10-2.

Ethan Bates (1-0) got the win for LA Tech, while Carter Smith (0-1) took the loss for BYU. 

The Cougars will have an off day on Tuesday before facing Louisiana Lafayette in a four-game series set for Wednesday through Saturday. All four games will be broadcast live on the BYU Radio App and BYU Radio 107.9 FM in the northern Utah market, with Jason Shepherd on play-by-play. In addition, Louisiana Lafayette will broadcast the Thursday and Saturday games on ESPN+.