AFA Series at Home

Three-game sweeps were recorded by two teams last week in the Mountain West Conference baseball race and BYU is a party to both of them.

The Cougars, now 16-23-1 overall and 9-9 in the MWC, host the Air Force Academy beginning Thursday. AFA, 21-21 and 8-10, is fresh off its first three-game sweep in 20 years after beating New Mexico.

BYU is hoping to rebound from being swept in its three-game series at San Diego State. The Cougars are currently in a second-place tie with Utah, six games behind the Aztecs who are now ranked No. 25.

The AFA series marks the beginning of at least 17 consecutive games in the state of Utah for BYU. Eight games in a row will be played at Miller Park, the last two being non-conference tilts, before BYU travels to Utah for a three-game series. The Cougars are guaranteed at least two games in the MWC Tournament they host the end of May.

Jeff Mousser (6-3, 4.53) is scheduled to start on the mound for the Cougars in Thursday's game which begins at 7 p.m. No starter has been announced for BYU in Friday's game also at 7 p.m. Paul Jacinto (2-2 ,6.42) is the probable pitcher for Saturday's game at 1 p.m.

One BYU pitcher who will have double duty this week is reliever James Ray. Ray is graduating in sociology as Thursday concludes final exams. Graduation exercises are Thursday afternoon and Ray's convocation will be Friday morning.

Ray and his teammates will be hosting a hot Air Force club which has some of the nation's leaders in doubles and in scoring average as a team.

"Air Force is playing with a lot of confidence and they have three very good starting pitchers," said BYU Coach Vance Law. "It took us a while to get into their bullpen. If we don't get to them early, it could be some long games against them."

Law is still juggling his lineup because of injuries to Ryan Chambers (hamstring) and Cameron Coughlan (tendonitis in his arm).

"It is going to be a challenge to get on a roll, but we are looking forward to being at home. We need to start playing better. Our situational play is way below average. We are walking too many people and making mental errors defensively and on the base paths."

Individual baseball game prices at Miller Park are $5 for public and $3 for students, faculty, staff and senior citizens. Season reserved seats can be obtained with a Cougar Card for $30. Otherwise, reserved seats for the season are $30 for students or $60 for public. For groups of 15 or more, there is a special rate of $2 per person. For reserved tickets, phone 801 378-BYU1. All-sport and Cougar Cards must be shown at the ticket office on the game day and redeemed for a reserved seat, based on availability. Tickets are on sale at the ticket office on the north side of Miller Park.

Fans who are not able to attend the game in person can now read a live webcast of the BYU-AFA games by logging in at

Game One, Game Two and Game Three or click on the webcast link on the right-hand column of the baseball page at www.byucougars.com.