April 29, 2008

Box Score

GREELEY, Colo. - A four run first inning and a six run fourth inning by the BYU Cougars (18-26) aided their effort in a 17-10 victory over Northern Colorado (15-30) in the finale of a two-game series at Jackson Field on Tuesday.

The Bears had a pair of three-run innings of their own, but could never quite catch up. BYU tallied 17 runs on 17 hits and committed three errors, while NC had 10 runs on 14 hits and two errors.

After BYU scored five in the first two innings, the Bears scored three in the third on a home run by junior designated hitter Kevin Sandberg to pull within one, 5-4. The Cougars immediately answered with a six-run frame. The Bears got three more in the fifth to pull them back within four, 11-7, but the Cougars put three on the board in the sixth.  Over the next three innings, NC scored three more for a four-run contest again at 14-10, but BYU put the nail in the coffin with three in the ninth.

Freshman T.J. Berge and junior Andy Mees both had big days for the Bears. The pair was on base all six times and went 5-for-5 with a walk as both came off the bench. Berge also hit his first career home run, a two-run shot in the bottom of the sixth.

Senior right-hander Jason Banks (2-5) started for the Bears, going 3.2 innings. He surrendered nine runs (five earned) on eight hits, walking four and striking out six. Cody Henry gave up two runs (none earned) on two hits, walking two and failing to record an out. Sean Peery appeared for the 22^nd time this season, throwing 2.1 frames. He allowed three runs on one hit, walking two and striking out three and Eric Skufca threw the final three frames, giving up three runs on six hits.

Freshman left-hander Eric Judd pitched the first four innings for BYU, giving up seven runs on six hits, walking four and striking out t here, while Tyler Westensee picked up the win (2-3) throwing two innings and allowing two runs on two hits, walking two and fanning three. Jared Miller pitched a three-inning save for his third of the year. He gave up one run on six hits, walking one and striking out three.

Northern Colorado hosts Texas-Pan American in the final home series of the year beginning on Friday. The teams are scheduled for a three-game set, Friday at 2:00 p.m., Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and Sunday at noon. Sunday will also be senior day, where the Bears will honor 13 seniors.