BYU out-slugs Pepperdine on Friday night, 17-9

PROVO, Utah — BYU baseball defeated Pepperdine, 17-9, in game two of a three-game series at Miller Park on Friday night behind two home runs by national player of the year semifinalist Austin Deming. 

The senior from Santa Clara, Utah, who was named a semifinalist for the Dick Howser Trophy early in the day, went 4-5 with two home runs, a double and a career high seven RBI in the win.  

BYU improves to 24-27 (13-13 WCC) on the year as Pepperdine falls to 18-30 (7-19 WCC). 

“This group wants to win, and they come to play every night,” said BYU head coach Trent Pratt. “Austin Deming is a special player and he proved that again tonight. It’s been a pleasure to sit back and watch him play this year. He deserves a lot of credit for the time and work he’s put in to being a great player.”

Game Summary
  •  BYU was 16 for 40 (.400) at the plate, while Pacific was 14 of 40 (.350)
  •  Deming’s seven RBI was a new single-game career high
  •  17 runs is the most allowed by Pepperdine during the 2023 season

BYU Highlights
  •  Deming 4-5, 7 RBI, 2 HR, 2B, 3 Runs
  •  Ossie Pratt, 4-4, 2 RBI, 3 Runs, 2 BB
  •  Cooper Vest: 3-4, 3 Runs, 2B
  •  Jacob Wilk: 1-3, 2 Runs, 2 RBI
 
The Waves got on the board first with a run in the bottom of the first inning with a walk and two hits.
BYU tied the game in the top of the second on a single by Ossie Pratt that scored Cooper Vest who had doubled to lead off the inning. 

Pepperdine jumped in front again in the top of the third with a two-out single for a 2-1 advantage. 

The Cougars took the lead with five runs in the bottom of the fourth on a two-run home run to left by Dawsen Hall and three-run bomb over the left center wall by Deming for a 6-2 BYU lead. 

BYU opened up an 11-2 led in the fifth inning with five additional runs on four hits and a Pepperdine error. With two outs, Vest scored on a ground ball by Parker Goff. After a stolen base, Pratt then singled to right to score Goff. Anderson singled through the left side and Deming hit his second three-run blast of the night, this one over the right field wall. 

After a scoreless sixth inning, the Waves came roaring back with four runs in the seventh and three more in ninth to cut the Cougar lead to 11-9. The rally included six hits over two innings, including home runs by left fielder Grant Schoen and designated hitter Jack Basseer.

BYU blew the game wide open in the bottom half of the eighth with six runs for a 17-9 win. Following a Vest single to right, Jacob Wilk homered to left center. Chase Peterson walked and Pratt singled to set up an RBI single by Luke Anderson that scored Peterson. Deming then doubled to score Pratt with his seventh RBI of the night. Cole Gambill then singled to centerfield scoring Anderson and Deming to finish the Cougar scoring. 

Carter Smith came on in the ninth to retire the Waves in order to close out the game. 

BYU starter Bryce Robison (7-3) got the win, while Pepperdine starter Bobby Christy (1-1) took the loss. 

Saturday’s broadcast of the final BYU baseball game of the 2023 season can be heard live on the BYU Radio App and will be simulcast on 107.9 in the northern Utah market. The game will also be broadcast live on BYUtv and the BYUtv app.