SCHEDULE CHANGE: Due to the forecast calling for rain, especially on Saturday, the teams have agreed to schedule a doubleheader Friday starting at 12 noon local time in order to get all three games in this weekend.
SLIGHT DETOUR: Seattle University continues its opening stretch of 13 consecutive road games this weekend with a three-game series against BYU. Instead of playing in Provo, the Redhawks agreed to meet the Cougars in St. George, Utah, as the games will take place at Bruce Hurst Field on the campus of Dixie State College. Seattle U is looking to continue its best start since the reestablishment of the baseball program in 2010, while BYU is looking for some wins after struggling through the first two weeks of the season.
SCOUTING BYU: The Cougars come into the weekend with a 1-8 overall record after completing a swing through Texas with a 4-2 loss at Texas Tech Monday. The team’s only victory came last Thursday at Texas A&M-Corpuc Christi, 10-2. BYU also suffered an 11-10 10-inning loss at Kansas during the first weekend of the season. As a team, the Cougars have compiled a .256 batting average, a .975 fielding percentage, and a 6.03 earned run average. Eric Urry leads BYU with a .500 batting average (12-of-24) along with three walks and two stolen bases. Kelton Caldwell has one of the team’s two home runs, plus he has driven in a team-high seven runs. The Cougars have allowed 10 runs or more in a game four times this season, but have been held to two runs or less five times so far this year.
SERIES HISTORY: Seattle U and BYU have met 14 times previously, with the Cougars holding a 10-4 advantage. In 1979, BYU defeated Seattle U, 9-4, at the Riverside Baseball Invitational. The Redhawks hosted the Cougars in 2010 and swept a two-game series, including an 8-7 victory in which Seattle U scored four runs in the bottom of the ninth for the comeback win. BYU returned the favor in 2011, sweeping a three-game series from Seattle U in Provo. The Redhawks returned to Provo in 2012 and split a doubleheader with the Cougars. BYU came to Washington later that season and won three of four games, including a 4-1 victory at Cheney Stadium in Tacoma. Last season, BYU swept a two-game midweek series from the Redhawks at Bannerwood Park, 5-2 and 10-0.
WEATHER FORECAST: After two weeks of perfect weather, Seattle U will potentially run into issues this weekend in St. George, Utah. The forecast calls for a few showers and windy conditions on Thursday with temperatures in the low 60s. The wind calms down a little bit Friday and Saturday, but the chance of rain increases both days, with temperatures in the high 50s.