Cougars drop opening game of Louisiana series

Photos courtesy of Ben Massey, UL Athletics

LAFAYETTE, La. — BYU baseball fell to the Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns, 4-3, in game one of a four-game series at M.L. Moore Field at Russo Park in Lafayette on Wednesday night. 

The Cougars led 3-1 through seven innings, before Louisiana scored three runs in bottom of the eighth for a come-from-behind win. The Ragin’ Cajuns improve to 3-1 on the young season while the Cougars drop to 2-3. 

“We need to play cleaner baseball, because errors really cost us tonight,” said BYU head coach Trent Pratt. “Ben was awesome on the mound. It’s too bad we couldn’t hold the lead and give him a win tonight. Hopefully we learn from this experience and find a way to win next time we are in a similar situation.”

Game Summary
  • BYU scored three runs on seven hits, while Louisiana scored four runs on four hits
  • Four errors were costly for the Cougars in the loss
  • Louisiana hit just .138 (4-29) versus BYU at .226 (7-31)

BYU Highlights
  • Ozzie Pratt: 3-4, 2 2B, RBI, Run
  • Jacob Wilk: 1-3, 2B, RBI, Run
  • Austin Deming: 1-4, 2B, RBI
  • Ben Hansen: 7.0 IP, 9 SO, 0 ER

BYU jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a run in the top of the first inning on a double to left center by Austin Deming that scored Ozzie Pratt, who had doubled to lead off the inning.

The Ragin’ Cajuns tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth inning off an error and a single to centerfield. 

After two scoreless innings, the Cougars retook the lead in the top of the seventh with two runs on three hits for a 3-1 lead. Jacob Wilk doubled over the centerfielder’s head to score Tate Gambill who had drawn a walk. Wilk then scored on a double down the first base line by Pratt. 

Louisiana scored three in the bottom of the eighth on one hit, an error, a walk and a hit batter for the 4-3 victory. Blake Marshall (1-0) got the win for the Cajuns, while Jake Porter (0-1) took the loss for BYU. 

BYU freshman right hander Ben Hansen, who recently returned from a mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was outstanding on the mound. The righty threw seven complete innings in his first BYU start, scattering just two hits while striking out nine. 

Game two of the four-game series is scheduled for Thursday at 6 p.m. CST. The series is being 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 will broadcast the Thursday and Saturday games on ESPN+.