At Home For In-State Games

PROVO -- BYU (29-16, 8-2) looks to improve on its nine-game winning streak at home with games against Southern Utah (20-27) and archrival University of Utah (21-20-1, 2-8).

The Cougars have a chance to break the school's all-time winning streak record of 12 set in 2003. Another major milestone on the horizon is the team's home run record. As a team BYU has hit 65 homers this season, just three shy of tying the 68 hit by the 2005 squad. Even though these achievements are within grasp, BYU head coach Gordon Eakin says his team chooses not to focus on seizing them.

"We don't pay attention to any of that," Eakin said. "We just try to stay focused on one pitch at a time, one game at a time, one win at a time."

Not escaping Eakin is the fact that the Cougars stand atop the Mountain West Conference standings with an 8-2 record. With 10 more league games to go, the Cougars' head coach says they can't afford to get lax.

"This year there's a lot of parity in our conference," Eakin said. "I don't think there's any margin of error. There are a number of teams that can get hot and win the conference. This is as competitive a year as I've ever seen, so there's no room for error."

BYU hosts Southern Utah in a double-header that begins at 3 p.m. (MST) and 5 p.m. on Tuesday. Friday, the Cougars face Utah at 6 p.m. on CSTV and again at 2 p.m. on Saturday.

Those who attend Friday night's game against the Utes will be treated to a fireworks display right after the game. Fans are encouraged to come out not only to support the Cougars, but also to help break the all-time attendance record of 879 at Gail Miller Field. Anyone who attended last Friday's game against New Mexico and brings his or her ticket stub will get into this Friday's game for free.