Utes Blow Early Lead Again, Fall to BYU 6-2

Saturday, May 20

Salt Lake City

11:30 AM

University of Utah

27-26, 9-13

BYU

30-26, 14-8

Brigham Young Univ.

Univ. of Utah

5/20/2006 12:00 AM | Baseball

Box Score

May 20, 2006

Box Score

SALT LAKE CITY - The University of Utah baseball team had an early lead against Brigham Young Saturday afternoon at Franklin Covey Field. But for the third straight day, the Cougars came from behind to win and for the third straight day, it was a big Cougar inning that spelled defeat for the Utes.

Saturday's loss was 6-2 after Utah (27-26, 9-13 MWC) jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning. This time, the big inning came in the fourth, when BYU (30-26, 14-8) scored five decisive runs. Despite the Cougars' five-run frame, the Utes had plenty of chances to get back into the game. Utah stranded 13 baserunners in the game - eight of which were left in scoring position.

Utah got a leadoff double from shortstop Ryan Khoury in the bottom of the first. After second baseman Bret Baldwin bunted for a single, Clayne Garrett singled off the glove of Cougar pitcher Patrick Wells. That hit brought Khoury in with the first run of the game. Baldwin later came around to make it 2-0 when center fielder John Welsh lifted a sacrifice fly to center.

But that's all Utah would be able to muster against Wells and BYU reliever Matt Jensen. Meanwhile, Ute starter Eric King was cruising along through the first three innings. Then, with one out in the fourth, the wheels came off for King. He plunked Ben Saylor and followed that up with a walk to Jeff Hiestand. Kent Walton then doubled off the left-field wall to push Saylor and Hiestand in, tying the game at 2-2.

Blake Crosby followed with an RBI single to right, giving the Cougars a lead they would never relinquish. Another walk and two singles led to two more BYU runs crossing the plate. By the time King got out of the inning the Cougars had sent 10 batters to the plate and held a 5-2 lead.

The Utes threatened in the bottom of the fourth, loading the bases with one out. But Baldwin struck out looking and first baseman Jay Brossman grounded out to second, ending the threat. Utah left runners at second and third in the sixth inning as well.

Saylor gave BYU some insurance in the seventh, leading off with a solo home run to right field.

Once again, the Utes threatened in the seventh. Cougar reliever Matt Jensen allowed a one-out double to Welsh. Third baseman Erich Kemp followed that with a walk. But Joe Mozeleski flied out to right and Adam Frank struck out to end the threat. That was the last time the Utes really threatened against Jensen.

Wells (6-6) took the win for BYU, working six innings and scattering eight hits. Jensen picked up his first save for the Cougars, working three innings and allowing one lone hit. King (4-8) suffered the loss for Utah, allowing six runs in 6 2/3 innings of work.

Walton, Crosby and Saylor all had a pair of hits for BYU to lead the Cougars at the plate. Khoury and Welsh each had two hits to pace the Utah offense.

Utah is back in action again Tuesday, facing San Diego State at the Mountain West Conference Tournament in Las Vegas.

-UU-