BYU lost to Baylor, 3-1, in a closely contested pitching duel on April 4 during the third game of their Big 12 baseball series at Magnolia Field at Baylor Ballpark.
The result gives Baylor a two-games-to-one victory in the three-game set. The Bears improved their record to 18-13 overall and 7-5 in conference play, while BYU fell to 14-16 overall and 5-7 in the Big 12.
Baylor managed three runs on just four hits but left eleven runners stranded. BYU scored one run on six hits and left three runners on base. Keoni Painter led BYU by going two-for-two with a run scored, while Patrick Graham contributed an RBI double. Easton Jones also had a double for the Cougars.
After both teams were scoreless through three and a half innings, Baylor took control in the bottom of the fourth by scoring three runs using two walks, a single, and a sacrifice fly. BYU answered back with its only run in the fifth inning when Painter singled up the middle and later scored on Graham’s double. Bryker Hurdsman followed with another single but Graham was thrown out at home plate trying to score.
Baylor’s pitchers then retired twelve straight Cougar batters to secure the win. On the mound for BYU, Cayson Bell and Ashton Johnson combined for eight innings pitched, allowing just four hits while striking out seven batters.
Looking ahead, BYU will play Utah Valley University on Tuesday, April 7 at UCCU Ballpark before returning to Texas for another conference matchup against Houston from April 9–11.
