BYU shuts out LMU on Friday to even series

LOS ANGELES — BYU baseball scored early and often Friday night defeating LMU, 8-0, behind a pitching gem by junior right hander Bryce Robison at George Page Stadium.

With the win the Cougars improve to 6-11 (1-1) on the season, while the Lions drop to 8-9 (1-1).

“It was a real team effort tonight,” said BYU head coach Trent Pratt. “One through nine in the lineup everyone contributed to help us win. Bryce was awesome on the mound. He really competed and made big pitches when he had to.”

Game Summary
  • BYU scored at least one run in each of the first five innings
  • Cougars scored eight runs on 11 hits, while holding the Lions to just two hits 
  • BYU bullpen held LMU hitless for the final three innings

BYU Highlights
  • Ozzie Pratt: 2-4, HR, 3B, 2 RBI, 2 Runs
  • Austin Deming: 2-4, RBI, Run
  • Jacob Wilk: 2-4, HR, 2B, RBI, 2 Runs
  • Cooper Vest: 2-5, 2B, RBI, Run
  • Bryce Robison: 6.0 IP, 2 Hits, 0 Runs, 4 K

Recap
The Cougars took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first off back-to-back singles by Austin Deming and Cole Gambill, a walk from Ryan Sepede and a ground ball by Jacob Wilk. A home run to right field by Ozzie Pratt in the second inning gave BYU a 2-0 advantage. 

Wilk added another run to the BYU lead in the third with a homer to left center, making the score 3-0. The Cougars scored two more in the four inning on a triple by Pratt that scored Bryant Ball, who had reached safely on a single to center. Pratt then scored on a fielder’s choice by Deming for a 5-0 lead.  

Two more runs in the fifth pushed the BYU lead to 7-0. Wilk walked to lead off the inning, moved to third on a Cooper Vest double and scored on a wild pitch. Chad Call then singled up the middle to drive home Vest for the second run of the inning. 

After three scoreless innings, BYU picked up its eighth run of the game in the ninth inning off a single to left by Vest that scored Tate Gambill who had walked and advanced to third on a double by Wilk.

Robison (2-1) got the win for the Cougars, holding the Lions hitless through 5 2/3 innings, while Zach Kirby (0-3) took the loss for LMU. 

The two West Coast Conference foes will face off in game three of the series on Saturday at 1 p.m. PT. The game will be broadcast live on the BYU Radio App and BYU Radio 107.9 FM in the northern Utah market, with Greg Wrubell on the call. The game will also air on the WCC Network.