BYU defeated Houston 6-2 on April 10 in the second game of a three-game Big 12 baseball series at Schroeder Park. The Cougars’ pitching staff, including Justis Reiser, Dan Brousseau, and Ashton Johnson, limited Houston to seven hits and two runs as BYU secured its second win in as many nights.
The result puts BYU at a season record of 17-16 overall and an even 7-7 in conference play. Houston fell to 16-17 overall and holds a conference record of 3-11. The Cougars scored six runs on ten hits while holding their opponents to two runs.
“Our pitchers did a good job of attacking the strike zone again tonight,” said BYU head baseball coach Trent Pratt. “Reiser went deep into the game and gave the offense a chance to get going. McNaughton’s home run sparked the offense and Brousseau and AJ came out of the pen and shut them down.”
Houston took an early lead with two runs in the first inning, but BYU responded after four scoreless innings. Ezra McNaughton’s home run tied the game in the sixth inning, scoring Luke Anderson. Subsequent singles by Ryder Robinson and Easton Jones helped load the bases before Bryker Hurdsman grounded out for another run, followed by Ryker Schow’s sacrifice fly for a total of four runs that inning.
In the ninth inning, Ridge Erickson was hit by a pitch before McNaughton singled him over to third base. Robinson then singled to bring Erickson home, followed by Jones doubling down the left field line for another insurance run.
After giving up two early runs, Reiser kept Houston scoreless through nearly five innings before handing off pitching duties. Brousseau earned the win with one inning pitched while Johnson picked up his first save after retiring seven consecutive batters to end the game.
BYU will play Houston again on Saturday afternoon at Schroeder Park for their final matchup in this Big 12 series. Having already won both previous games, BYU will look for a sweep with live coverage available on ESPN+ as well as multiple radio outlets.
