The first time the BYU and UVU baseball teams clashed in 2024, the meeting in Provo was all about offense.

The Wolverines had just enough power to emerge with the 15-11 win, their second consecutive victory over the Cougars.

Tuesday’s rematch at UCCU Ballpark in Orem followed a completely different script as both teams got much better pitching and defense.

But, thanks to the BYU pitching effort and a big game from sophomore Easton Jones at the plate, the Cougars avenged the earlier defeat with the 4-2 win over UVU.

“It’s good to see us playing like this,” said BYU head coach Trent Pratt. “Easton has really stepped up and helped us on offense, and tonight we had great pitching to get out of a few jams. It was great to be in a battle and come out on top.”

Jones, a former star at American Fork, was clutch for BYU, driving in all four Cougar runs.

His team hadn’t gotten a hit when he walked up to the plate in the top of the third but a pair of walks to start the frame meant it was a chance to get on the board.

And Jones made the most of it.

He saw a pitch he really liked and hammered it, driving it high over the fence in centerfield to score three runs on the first BYU hit of the game.

But Jones wasn’t done.

UVU narrowed the gap in the bottom of the fourth inning, putting some pressure on the visitors.

A double by senior Cole Jordan was followed by a single to right field by sophomore Luke Iverson. The throw from BYU junior Cooper Vest in right field was a good one but just slightly off target, allowing Jordan to avoid the tag with a head-first slide to get the Wolverines on the board.

But the Cougars answered immediately in the top of the fifth, thanks again to Jones.

Freshman Ryker Schow (a Pleasant Grove High product) started the inning with a hard shot to second that was too hot to handle, then kept going to slide into second before UVU could collect the ball.

He later advanced to third on the second out of the inning, bringing Jones back to the plate. The sophomore hit a drive to centerfield that UVU couldn’t quite get to, allowing Schow to score on the RBI triple.

UVU kept the pressure on in the bottom of the fifth, plating a second run to stay close.

A single by senior Isaac Lovings resulted in the score when senior Burk Camper hit an RBI single to left field.

That turned out to be all the scoring, although both teams had chances to add runs. BYU ended up leaving five runners on base, while UVU stranded eight.

The most dramatic moment came when the Wolverines were threatening to rally in the bottom of the ninth.

A pair of hit batters put the tying run at first with just one out when UVU hit a short fly ball to left-center. Vest came charging in, making a sliding catch for the second out.

He then alertly fired the ball back to first double off the runner and end the game.

BYU finished with four runs on four hits with no errors, while the Wolverines and two runs on six hits with one error.

Both teams will now turn their attention back to conference play.

The Cougars (19-26) will host Cincinnati in a three-game series at Miller Ballpark in Provo starting Thursday at 6 p.m. MT while UVU (25-24) heads to Tarleton State for its own three-game set starting Friday at 2 p.m. MT.

Jay Drowns, UVU Marketing

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