BYU baseball lost to Cincinnati 9-7 on March 13, evening the three-game Big 12 series at one win each.
The game was marked by several lead changes and home runs, with both teams fighting for control until the final inning. The result sets up a decisive third game in the series.
Cincinnati started strong with a two-run home run in the first inning and extended their lead to five runs before BYU responded. Ezra McNaughton scored BYU’s first run in the sixth inning, followed by a three-run homer from Easton Jones that brought the Cougars within one run. In the seventh, Luke Anderson hit a two-run home run to give BYU its first lead at 6-5.
However, Cincinnati answered with a three-run eighth inning to retake the lead. Despite an RBI single from Anderson in the bottom of the eighth that narrowed the gap to one run, Cincinnati added another run in the ninth and held off BYU’s final attempts to secure a 9-7 victory.
Key performances included Anderson going two-for-four with three RBIs and a home run, Jones contributing three RBIs with his own homer, and McNaughton reaching base four times. The loss brings BYU’s record to 8-9 while Cincinnati improves to 15-5.
The final game of the series is scheduled for Saturday at Miller Park in Provo. The matchup will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and available on BYUradio.org and through the BYU Radio app.
