April 10, 2008

Provo, UT (UWIRE) -- BYU played host to in-state rival the University of Utah in a non-conference game Tuesday at Miller Park. The Cougars battled fiercely but failed to overcome a 9 - 3 deficit and lost to the Utes by a final tally of 9-7.

Although unsure if the game would actually take place because of snow earlier in the week, BYU came out ready to play and jumped to a 3-0 lead after three innings.

Kent Walton came home in the first inning on a Bryce Ayoso base hit. The score was Walton's first of three runs.

One of the highlights of the evening for BYU was Walton, who went 3 of 4 from the plate.

Despite the quick start, BYU found itself trailing 9-3 going into the bottom of the 7th inning. BYU posted four runs that inning but failed to capitalize on any other scoring opportunities.

"I'm proud of the way our guys battled at the plate, but we can't afford to give up big innings," BYU head coach Vance Law said. "It's frustrating as we try to save starters for the weekend, but we don't know what we're going to get each time we go to the bull pen."

BYU used five pitchers in the game and gave up 14 hits. Nelson Castleberry recorded the loss and saw his record drop to 2-4.

Unlike the first several home games that BYU has played, this game was played under dark, cloudy skies and cold temperatures.

BYU had a chance in the ninth inning when Sean McNaughton walked to lead-off, was followed by to fly-outs and a ground-out to third.

BYU dropped to 14-18 overall. BYU now leads the Desert Duel points standings by only 4.5 points, 28-23.5.

The boys of summer will be on the road for a three-game series this weekend against Washington. The Cougars will then return to Provo for a four-game home stand starting Tuesday at 6 p.m. against Southern Utah and hosting TCU for the remaining three games.