PROVO, Utah – The BYU baseball team lost 4-2 against Gonzaga in the third game of the Cougars’ opening series of West Coast Conference play at Larry H. Miller Field on Saturday.

"We played hard today," BYU head coach Mike Littlewood said. "Last night we got the big hit and tonight we didn't get the big hit."

BYU vs. Gonzaga Box Score

Game Summary

• Brian Hsu singled to right field to bring Hill home from third to score BYU’s first run of the game
• Jackson Cluff recorded an RBI after being walked while the bases were loaded during the sixth
• Four of BYU's five losses this season have been by two runs or less

Player Highlights

• Brian Hsu: 1-4, 1 RBI
• Brock Hale: 1-3, 1 BB
• Carson Matthews: 1-3, 1 R

The Bulldogs scored the first two runs of the game in the top of the third inning off a single up the middle that brought in two base runners. Gonzaga (8-9, 2-1) added a third run to take a 3-0 over BYU (13-5, 1-2) heading into the bottom of the third frame.

Noah Hill extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a single to right field. Brian Hsu brought Hill home with a single to right field to score the Cougars’ first run of the game and making the score 3-1 at the end of three.

The bats began to heat up for BYU in the bottom of the sixth with Carson Matthews leading off with a single to center. Mitch McIntyre singled through to right field and Brock Hale loaded up the bases after being walked. Gonzaga’s pitcher walked Jackson Cluff to advance all runners and put BYU within a run. But the Cougars failed to take more advantage and continued to trail Gonzaga 3-2 at the end of six innings.

The Bulldogs extended their lead 4-2 after a sacrifice fly to left field brought in a run in the seventh inning.

BYU will next play in the UCCU Crosstown Clash against Utah Valley at UCCU Ballpark at 6 p.m. MT on Tuesday, March 19. The game will air live on WAC Digital Network, BYU Radio and ESPN 960.

PROVO, Utah - Off to its second-best start in program history, the BYU baseball team opens West Coast Conference play hosting Gonzaga, the reigning WCC champions. 

At 12-3, BYU is off to its best start since going 14-1 in 2016. The Cougars are currently on a six-game win streak and have won 10 of their last 11 games.

BYU Game Notes - Gonzaga

BYU has played solid on offense and defense - the Cougars are currently 35th in the nation with a .296 batting average and No. 27 with an ERA of 2.98.

Sophomore third baseman Jackson Cluff earned the Cougars’ first WCC Player of the Week award for his efforts against UVU and Milwaukee last week. Cluff batted .600 with nine hits, including two doubles and two triples, to go with seven RBIs, six runs, two walks and two stolen bases.

Starting for the Cougars on Thursday will be senior Jordan Wood who is 2-0 in four starts with a 1.88 ERA. Junior right-hander Jarod Lessar will start game two; he's 2-1 with a 5.28 ERA. Sophomore Justin Sterner will start game three with a record of 3-1 and a 1.77 ERA.

BYU vs. Gonzaga Game 1
Thursday, March 14
6 p.m. MT
Miller Field
TheW.tv, BYU Radio
$1 Drinks and Flavor Bar

BYU vs. Gonzaga Game 2
Friday, March 15
6 p.m. MT
Miller Field
TheW.tv, BYU Radio, ESPN 960

BYU vs. Gonzaga Game 3
Saturday, March 16
1 p.m. MT
Miller Field
TheW.tv, BYU Radio, ESPN 960
$1 Cougar Tails