SALT LAKE CITY – The first BYU/Utah baseball matchup of the 2022 season took place on Tuesday, and it was all one-sided. BYU cruised to a 10-3 victory over the Utes. It was a rare loss for a Utah team that came into the rivalry matchup with one of their best starts to a season in nearly 40 years at 11-3-1.
Utah wore alternate green hats in honor of St. Patrick’s Day and the lids didn’t provide them with luck they were likely looking to get.
The victory improved BYU’s record to 8-6 overall on the season. Utah’s setback ends a two-game winning streak for the Utes.
Due to inclement weather, the first pitch was moved up an hour from 6 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time to get the game in. Utah announced more than 2,000 fans in attendance at Smith’s Ballpark on Tuesday night. The fans clad in blue were greeted by a high-powered offensive performance from BYU.
BYU baseball showed the firepower in their lineup
After a first-inning that saw the side retired in order, BYU infielder Alex Sardina hit a triple that saw Utah centerfielder Carter Booth misplace the ball, leading Sardina to advance to third and send in the Cougars’ first run of the night.
It was only the beginning for BYU as catcher Collin Reuter blasted a two-run shot to center field. Then, in the third inning, junior Cole Gambill got in on the act with a two-run homer of his own to give BYU a commanding five-run lead.
BYU rotated through pitchers every inning, with the game being a midweek tilt. But regardless of who was on the mound, BYU’s pitching staff overwhelmed a Utah squad that had not seen a rotation with the firepower that BYU has. After two quick hits in the first inning, three of the following four innings saw the Utes produce zero hits.
BYU standout Cole Gambill hit a two-run blast to left-center in the third inning and the rout was on from there.
Utah made a little bit of a run at the bottom of the eighth, getting as they were able to get runners in scoring position off BYU pitcher Boston Mabeus. Mabeus walked a batter then hit Utah’s TJ Clarkson with a pitch. BYU then turned to freshman Carter Foss. Foss threw a wild pitch getting Utah on the board. Then Davis Cop hit a two-run double to complete a three-run inning for the Utes.
Utah finished the night with seven hits. BYU’s Bryce Robison, who pitched two innings, got the win, improving to 3-0 on the season.
The victory maintains BYU’s perfect record this season against teams from the Pac-12 Conference. BYU baseball swept Arizona State last month down in Tempe. The Utes and Cougars will face off against one another on April 19 in Provo then on May 17 in Salt Lake City again.
Next Up for the Utes & Cougs
Both teams now head on the road for a pair of series in their respective leagues. BYU will play on the road against the Portland Pilots from March 17-19. Utah will also be in the Pacific Northwest to take on the Oregon Ducks from March 18-20 in Pac-12 Conference action.
Mitch Harper is a BYU Insider for KSLsports.com and host of the Cougar Tracks Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and Cougar Sports Saturday (Saturday from 12–3 p.m.) on KSL Newsradio. Follow him on Twitter: @Mitch_Harper.