Pitchers Help Sweep Away Utes

PROVO -- Brandon Christiansen and Blake Torgerson led BYU to a doubleheader and series sweep of Utah 7-2, 5-3, Saturday at Larry H. Miller Field.

The Cougars (17-5-1, 5-1 Mountain West Conference) used only three pitchers in the two ballgames. The Utes (7-16, 1-5) could only muster 14 hits and five runs in the doubleheader. BYU coach Vance Law is pleased with the way his team is playing as it returned to a first-place tie with UNLV in the MWC.

"We're playing well and we're playing with confidence," Law said. "There can't be too many teams in school history that have had a better start than us. (This is the best record for BYU since it started with an 18-5 mark in 1980)."

In game one, the Utes started the scoring in the top of the third inning after consecutive hits by Utah batters. Tyler Kay hit a one-out single and he was followed with a John Welsh RBI double into the left-center gap.

BYU was quick to respond in its half of the third inning, scoring three runs on five hits to take a 3-1 lead. The Cougars started their rally with consecutive two-baggers from Casey Cloward and Sean McNaughton. McNaughton scored on a RBI single by Apana Nakayama. Two consecutive singles followed--one by Jeff Hiestand to move Nakayama to second--and one by Brandon Taylor to drive in Nakayama.

In the sixth inning, Utah cut into the lead. The Utes led off the inning with consecutive singles--a bunt by Ryan Khoury and a grounder that got through the infield by Doug Beck. BYU pitcher Christiansen did a good job of damage control as he didn't give up another hit in the inning. The Utes' only run of the inning was on a fielder's choice.

The Cougars added to their lead in the seventh inning when McNaughton and Villezcas got back-to-back hits. McNaughton's was a one-out single and Villezcas followed with a RBI double. After Nakayama flied out, Hiestand hit a two-out, two-run home run, his second of the series. The homer put BYU up 6-2 in the late innings. The Cougars added an insurance run in the eighth when Adrian Molina hit a run-scoring single after Ben Saylor led the inning off with a double.

Christiansen pitched a complete game to earn the victory, holding the Utes to only two runs and seven hits.

In game two, Utah jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. The Utes scored one in the first inning and two in the third on a two-run homer by Khoury. After that BYU pitching settled in and Utah didn't score again in the game. Meanwhile, the Cougars fought back. BYU scored a run in the fourth inning when Nakayama tripled and scored on a double-play ball.

In the fifth, the Cougars grabbed the lead on back-to-back doubles. McNaughton hit one to score Kory Knell who walked to lead off the inning. He was followed by Marcos Villezcas' two-run, two-bagger. BYU added an insurance run in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly by Ryan Chambers that scored Nakayama.

Game two also had strong pitching performances from starter Torgerson--who earned the win--and reliever Josh Barrett--who earned the save.

The Cougars return to action when they travel to Corvallis, Ore., for a two-game series Monday and Tuesday before returning home for a three-game series with Air Force which starts Thursday.

University of Utah at Brigham Young Univ. (Game 1)
Mar 26, 2005 at Provo, Utah (Larry H.Miller Field)
University of Utah 2 (7-15,1-4 MWC)
Player                    AB  R  H RBI BB SO PO  A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
WELSH, John cf...........  4  0  1  1   0  0  4  0   0
KHOURY, Ryan ss..........  3  1  2  0   1  0  4  2   0
BECK, Doug 2b............  4  0  1  0   0  0  4  2   1
MOZELESKI, Joe rf........  4  0  0  1   0  0  1  0   2
BROSSMAN, Jay 3b.........  4  0  0  0   0  0  1  3   0
EASTMAN, Trevor 1b.......  4  0  0  0   0  0  5  1   1
OLSEN, Ryder dh..........  4  0  1  0   0  1  0  0   1
FRANK, Adam c............  3  0  0  0   0  0  4  1   0
KAY, Tyler lf............  3  1  2  0   0  0  1  0   0
 TARTLER, Seth lf........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
CROCKETT, Matt p.........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  1   0
 BAILEY, Brandon p.......  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 MADSEN, Josh p..........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
Totals................... 33  2  7  2   1  1 24 10   5
Brigham Young Univ. 7 (16-5-1,4-1 MWC)
Player                    AB  R  H RBI BB SO PO  A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
McNAUGHTON, Sean 2b......  4  2  2  1   0  0  4  5   0
VILLEZCAS, Marcos ss.....  4  1  2  1   0  1  1  5   0
NAKAYAMA, Apana dh.......  4  1  2  1   0  0  0  0   0
HIESTAND, Jeff 1b........  4  1  2  2   0  1 14  0   0
TAYLOR, Brandon 3b.......  4  0  2  1   0  1  2  6   1
SAYLOR, Ben lf...........  3  1  2  0   0  0  0  0   0
MOLINA, Adrian cf........  4  0  1  1   0  1  3  0   4
CHAMBERS, Ryan rf........  4  0  0  0   0  0  2  0   0
CLOWARD, Casey c.........  4  1  2  0   0  0  1  0   0
CHRISTIANSEN, Brandon p... 0  0  0  0   0  0  0  3   0
Totals................... 35  7 15  7   0  4 27 19   5
Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
University of Utah.. 001 001 000 -  2  7  0
Brigham Young Univ.. 003 000 31X -  7 15  2
-------------------------------------------
E - McNAUGHTON; TAYLOR. DP - Utah Utes 3; BYU Cougars 3. LOB - Utah Utes 5;
BYU Cougars 5. 2B - WELSH; McNAUGHTON; VILLEZCAS; SAYLOR; CLOWARD. HR -
HIESTAND(5). HBP - SAYLOR.
University of Utah     IP  H  R ER BB SO AB BF
-----------------------------------------------
CROCKETT, Matt......  6.1 12  5  5  0  4 28 29
BAILEY, Brandon.....  1.0  3  2  2  0  0  6  6
MADSEN, Josh........  0.2  0  0  0  0  0  1  1
Brigham Young Univ.    IP  H  R ER BB SO AB BF
-----------------------------------------------
CHRISTIANSEN, Brandon 9.0  7  2  2  1  1 33 34
Win - CHRISTIANSEN (2-0).  Loss - CROCKETT (2-5).  Save - None.
WP - CHRISTIANSEN. HBP - by CROCKETT (SAYLOR).
Umpires - HP: Ted Bergquist  1B: Randy Upton  3B: John DeLuca
Start: 1:04 pm   Time: 2:17
University of Utah at Brigham Young Univ. (Game 1) - Play-by-Play
Mar 26, 2005 at Provo, Utah (Larry H.Miller Field)
Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
University of Utah.. 001 001 000 -  2  7  0
Brigham Young Univ.. 003 000 31X -  7 15  2
-------------------------------------------
University of Utah starters: 4/cf WELSH; 2/ss KHOURY; 3/2b BECK; 22/rf MOZELESKI;
18/3b BROSSMAN; 5/1b EASTMAN; 24/dh OLSEN; 10/c FRANK; 1/lf KAY; 34/p CROCKETT;
Brigham Young Univ. starters: 15/2b McNAUGHTON; 10/ss VILLEZCAS; 24/dh NAKAYAMA;
16/1b HIESTAND; 3/3b TAYLOR; 25/lf SAYLOR; 1/cf MOLINA; 22/rf CHAMBERS; 9/c CLOWARD;
31/p CHRISTIANSEN;
University of Utah 1st - WELSH grounded out to p. KHOURY walked. BECK flied
out to cf. MOZELESKI flied out to cf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 1st - McNAUGHTON flied out to lf. VILLEZCAS singled to
right center. NAKAYAMA grounded into double play 2b to ss to 1b; VILLEZCAS out on
the play. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
University of Utah 2nd - BROSSMAN reached on a throwing error by 2b. EASTMAN
grounded into double play 3b to 2b to 1b; BROSSMAN out on the play. OLSEN struck out
looking. 0 runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 2nd - HIESTAND struck out looking. TAYLOR singled to
shortstop. SAYLOR singled to left field; TAYLOR advanced to second. MOLINA grounded
into double play 3b to 1b; TAYLOR out on the play. 0 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1
LOB.
University of Utah 3rd - FRANK grounded out to 2b. KAY singled to third base.
WELSH doubled to left center, RBI; KAY scored. KHOURY popped up to ss. BECK grounded
out to ss. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 3rd - CHAMBERS popped up to ss. CLOWARD doubled to left
field. McNAUGHTON doubled down the lf line, RBI; CLOWARD scored. VILLEZCAS struck
out looking. NAKAYAMA singled to right field, RBI; McNAUGHTON scored. HIESTAND
singled up the middle; NAKAYAMA advanced to second. TAYLOR singled to left field,
RBI; HIESTAND advanced to second; NAKAYAMA scored. SAYLOR hit by pitch; TAYLOR
advanced to second; HIESTAND advanced to third. MOLINA struck out swinging. 3
runs, 5 hits, 0 errors, 3 LOB.
University of Utah 4th - MOZELESKI grounded out to ss. BROSSMAN grounded out
to 3b. EASTMAN reached on a fielding error by 3b. OLSEN grounded out to 2b. 0
runs, 0 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 4th - CHAMBERS flied out to rf. CLOWARD singled to center
field. CLOWARD out at second p to 1b to ss, picked off. McNAUGHTON flied out to cf.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
University of Utah 5th - FRANK flied out to rf. KAY singled to shortstop.
WELSH grounded into double play 3b to 1b; KAY out on the play. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0
errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 5th - VILLEZCAS grounded out to c. NAKAYAMA singled to
left field. HIESTAND lined out to 2b. TAYLOR struck out swinging. 0 runs, 1 hit,
0 errors, 1 LOB.
University of Utah 6th - KHOURY singled, bunt. BECK singled to left field;
KHOURY advanced to third. MOZELESKI reached on a fielder's choice, RBI; BECK out at
second ss to 2b; KHOURY scored. BROSSMAN fouled out to 1b. EASTMAN grounded out to
3b. 1 run, 2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 6th - SAYLOR popped up to ss. MOLINA grounded out to 3b,
bunt. CHAMBERS flied out to cf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
University of Utah 7th - OLSEN singled to first base. OLSEN advanced to
second on a wild pitch. FRANK reached on a fielder's choice; OLSEN out at third p to
3b. KAY grounded into double play ss to 2b to 1b; FRANK out on the play. 0 runs,
1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 7th - CLOWARD flied out to cf. McNAUGHTON singled to
shortstop. VILLEZCAS doubled down the rf line, RBI; McNAUGHTON scored. BAILEY to p
for CROCKETT. NAKAYAMA flied out to cf. HIESTAND homered to right field, 2 RBI;
VILLEZCAS scored. TAYLOR fouled out to 2b. 3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
University of Utah 8th - WELSH out at first p to 2b to 1b. KHOURY singled to
right center. BECK flied out to cf. MOZELESKI reached on a fielder's choice; KHOURY
out at second 3b to 2b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 8th - TARTLER to lf for KAY. SAYLOR doubled down the rf
line. MOLINA singled up the middle, RBI; SAYLOR scored. CHAMBERS reached on a
fielder's choice; MOLINA out at second ss to 2b. MADSEN to p for BAILEY. CLOWARD
grounded into double play 3b to 2b to 1b; CHAMBERS out on the play. 1 run, 2
hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
University of Utah 9th - BROSSMAN grounded out to 3b. EASTMAN grounded out to
ss. OLSEN flied out to rf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
University of Utah at Brigham Young Univ. 
Mar 26, 2005 at Provo, Utah (Larry H.Miller Field)
University of Utah 3 (7-16,1-5 MWC)
Player                    AB  R  H RBI BB SO PO  A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
WELSH, John cf...........  4  2  2  0   0  0  2  0   0
KHOURY, Ryan ss..........  4  1  3  2   0  0  0  2   0
BECK, Doug 2b............  3  0  0  1   0  0  4  5   1
MOZELESKI, Joe rf........  4  0  1  0   0  1  4  0   0
BROSSMAN, Jay 3b.........  3  0  1  0   0  0  0  5   0
GARRETT, Clayne 1b.......  4  0  1  0   0  0 11  0   0
EASTMAN, Trevor c........  3  0  0  0   0  0  3  0   1
OLSEN, Ryder dh..........  3  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   1
KAY, Tyler lf............  2  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 TUMMOLO, Mike ph........  1  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 TARTLER, Seth lf........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
FREED, Bryce p...........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  2   0
 LANE, Brian p...........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
 COOPER, Josh p..........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
Totals................... 31  3  8  3   0  1 24 14   3
Brigham Young Univ. 5 (17-5-1,5-1 MWC)
Player                    AB  R  H RBI BB SO PO  A LOB
------------------------------------------------------
McNAUGHTON, Sean 2b......  4  1  3  1   0  0  2  5   0
VILLEZCAS, Marcos ss.....  4  0  1  2   0  0  0  5   1
NAKAYAMA, Apana dh.......  4  2  2  0   0  0  0  0   0
HIESTAND, Jeff 1b........  2  0  1  0   0  1  9  0   0
 CHAMBERS, Ryan rf.......  0  0  0  1   0  0  1  0   0
TAYLOR, Brandon 3b.......  4  0  0  0   0  0  2  3   1
SAYLOR, Ben lf/1b........  4  0  2  0   0  1  6  0   0
MOLINA, Adrian cf........  3  0  0  0   1  1  3  0   3
KNELL, Kory rf/lf........  2  1  0  0   1  0  2  1   0
NELSON, Casey c..........  3  1  1  0   0  0  1  0   0
 CLOWARD, Casey c........  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
TORGERSON, Blake p.......  0  0  0  0   0  0  1  1   0
 BARRETT, Joshua p.......  0  0  0  0   0  0  0  0   0
Totals................... 30  5 10  4   2  3 27 15   5
Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
University of Utah.. 102 000 000 -  3  8  1
Brigham Young Univ.. 000 130 01X -  5 10  0
-------------------------------------------
E - COOPER. DP - Utah Utes 3; BYU Cougars 2. LOB - Utah Utes 3;
BYU Cougars 5. 2B - WELSH; KHOURY; GARRETT; McNAUGHTON; VILLEZCAS; NAKAYAMA;
HIESTAND; SAYLOR. 3B - NAKAYAMA. HR - KHOURY(3). HBP - HIESTAND. SH -
BROSSMAN. SF - BECK; CHAMBERS.
University of Utah     IP  H  R ER BB SO AB BF
-----------------------------------------------
FREED, Bryce........  4.0  6  3  3  1  1 16 18
LANE, Brian.........  2.2  2  1  1  1  1  9 10
COOPER, Josh........  1.1  2  1  1  0  1  5  6
Brigham Young Univ.    IP  H  R ER BB SO AB BF
-----------------------------------------------
TORGERSON, Blake....  7.0  6  3  1  0  1 24 26
BARRETT, Joshua.....  2.0  2  0  0  0  0  7  7
Win - TORGERSON (3-1).  Loss - LANE (2-3).  Save - BARRETT (2).
WP - TORGERSON. HBP - by FREED (HIESTAND). BK - TORGERSON.
Umpires - HP: Randy Upton  1B: John DeLuca  3B: Ted Bergquist
Start: 3:57 pm   Time: 2:04   Attendance: 1718
FREED faced 2 batters in the 5th.
                      
University of Utah at Brigham Young Univ. (Game 2) - Play-by-Play
Mar 26, 2005 at Provo, Utah (Larry H.Miller Field)
Score by Innings                    R  H  E
-------------------------------------------
University of Utah.. 102 000 000 -  3  8  1
Brigham Young Univ.. 000 130 01X -  5 10  0
-------------------------------------------
University of Utah starters: 4/cf WELSH; 2/ss KHOURY; 3/2b BECK; 22/rf MOZELESKI;
18/3b BROSSMAN; 33/1b GARRETT; 5/c EASTMAN; 24/dh OLSEN; 1/lf KAY; 19/p FREED;
Brigham Young Univ. starters: 15/2b McNAUGHTON; 10/ss VILLEZCAS; 24/dh NAKAYAMA;
16/1b HIESTAND; 3/3b TAYLOR; 25/lf SAYLOR; 1/cf MOLINA; 12/rf KNELL; 8/c NELSON;
32/p TORGERSON;
University of Utah 1st - WELSH doubled to right center. KHOURY grounded out
to 2b; WELSH advanced to third. BECK flied out to cf, SF, RBI; WELSH scored.
MOZELESKI struck out swinging. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 1st - McNAUGHTON singled through the right side.
VILLEZCAS grounded into double play 3b to 2b to 1b; McNAUGHTON out on the play.
NAKAYAMA grounded out to p. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
University of Utah 2nd - BROSSMAN grounded out to 2b. GARRETT flied out to
lf. EASTMAN lined out to 3b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 2nd - HIESTAND doubled to right center. TAYLOR flied out
to cf; HIESTAND advanced to third. SAYLOR struck out swinging. MOLINA grounded out
to 3b. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
University of Utah 3rd - OLSEN out at first 2b to p. KAY grounded out to 1b
unassisted. WELSH singled to shortstop on a diving play by VILLEZCAS. WELSH advanced to second on a
balk. KHOURY homered to left field, 2 RBI, unearned; WELSH scored, unearned. BECK
grounded out to 3b. 2 runs, 2 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 3rd - KNELL fouled out to rf. NELSON grounded out to 3b.
McNAUGHTON singled to left field. VILLEZCAS flied out to rf. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0
errors, 1 LOB.
University of Utah 4th - MOZELESKI singled through the left side. BROSSMAN
grounded out to 3b, SAC, bunt; MOZELESKI advanced to second. GARRETT flied out to
rf. EASTMAN flied out to cf. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 4th - NAKAYAMA tripled to left center. HIESTAND hit by
pitch. TAYLOR grounded into double play 3b to 2b to 1b; HIESTAND out on the play;
NAKAYAMA scored. SAYLOR singled to right field. MOLINA grounded out to p. 1 run,
2 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
University of Utah 5th - OLSEN grounded out to 2b. KAY grounded out to ss.
WELSH flied out to lf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 5th - KNELL walked. NELSON singled to right center; KNELL
advanced to third. LANE to p for FREED. McNAUGHTON doubled down the rf line, RBI;
NELSON advanced to third; KNELL scored. VILLEZCAS doubled to right center, 2 RBI;
McNAUGHTON scored; NELSON scored. NAKAYAMA flied out to rf. HIESTAND struck out
swinging. TAYLOR grounded out to ss. 3 runs, 3 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
University of Utah 6th - KHOURY singled to left field. BECK grounded into
double play ss to 2b to 1b; KHOURY out on the play. MOZELESKI grounded out to 3b.
0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 6th - SAYLOR grounded out to 2b. MOLINA walked. KNELL
grounded into double play 3b to 2b to 1b; MOLINA out on the play. 0 runs, 0 hits,
0 errors, 0 LOB.
University of Utah 7th - CHAMBERS to rf for HIESTAND. SAYLOR to 1b. KNELL to
lf. BROSSMAN flied out to cf. GARRETT doubled to right center. GARRETT advanced to
third on a wild pitch. EASTMAN grounded out to p. OLSEN grounded out to ss. 0
runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 7th - NELSON grounded out to ss. McNAUGHTON popped up to
2b. COOPER to p for LANE. VILLEZCAS grounded out to 2b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors,
0 LOB.
University of Utah 8th - BARRETT to p for TORGERSON. TUMMOLO pinch hit for
KAY. TUMMOLO flied out to rf. WELSH grounded out to ss. KHOURY doubled down the lf
line. BECK grounded out to ss. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Brigham Young Univ. 8th - TARTLER to lf for TUMMOLO. NAKAYAMA doubled to
center field. NAKAYAMA advanced to third on a throwing error by p. CHAMBERS flied
out to rf, SF, RBI; NAKAYAMA scored. TAYLOR flied out to cf. SAYLOR doubled to left
center. MOLINA struck out looking. 1 run, 2 hits, 1 error, 1 LOB.
University of Utah 9th - CLOWARD to c for NELSON. MOZELESKI popped up to 3b.
BROSSMAN singled to third base. GARRETT flied into double play lf to 2b; BROSSMAN
out on the play. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 0 LOB.