Athletic Media Relations 30 Smith Fieldhouse • Provo, Utah • 84602 801-422-9769 • fax 801-422-0633 ASEBALL Weekly Release - May 2, 2005 B BYU Back Again in Happy Valley Media Relations Information BYU (32-13-1 overall and 16-5 in the Mountain West Conference for first place) contact: Ralph Zobell E-Mail: [email protected] hosts New Mexico (19-26 and 9-12) for a three-game series starting on Thursday. Date Opp/Event Time at site of game Probable Pitching Rotation 2/17 No. 19 UC Irvine Irvine, CA + W, 5-1 2/18 No. 19 UC Irvine Irvine, CA +% L, 6-9 May 5 New Mexico Dave Horlacher (4-2, 3.84) Provo, 7 p.m. 2/25 San Jose St. San Jose, CA L, 4-5 (10 inn) May 6 New Mexico Lance Beus (1-0, 6.48) Provo, 7 p.m. 2/25 San Jose St. San Jose, CA W, 13-5 May 7 New Mexico Blake Torgerson (5-2, 5.77) Provo, 1 p.m. 2/26 San Jose St. San Jose, CA T, 3-3 3/1 No. 25 Okla. St. Stillwater, OK +%= L, 4-5 Probable Lineup 3/2 No. 25 Okla. St. Stillwater, OK +%= W, 9-8 3/3-4 No. 30 Oral Roberts Tulsa, OK % L, 5-6 1B–#16 Jeff Hiestand 2B–Law or McNaughton SS–#10 Marcos Villezcas 3/3-4 No. 30 Oral Roberts Tulsa, OK % W, 6-2 3B–#13 Brandon Taylor RF–#25 Ben Saylor CF–#22 Ryan Chambers 3/5 No. 30 Oral Roberts Tulsa, OK ∑W, 7-4 LF–#12 Kory Knell C–#8 Casey Nelson or #9 Casey Cloward 3/8 Utah Valley St. Provo +% W, 15-8 DH–#24 Apana Nakayama 3/10 New Mexico St. Las Cruces, NM+$ W, 5-3 3/11 New Mexico St. Las Cruces, NM+$ W, 11-7 Radio Coverage 3/12 New Mexico St. Las Cruces, NM+$ W, 22-8 3/14 Colo. St. -Pueblo Provo + W, 2-1 KOVO 960 AM, with veteran broadcaster Brent Norton calling the play-by-play, 3/15 Colo. St. -Pueblo Provo + W, 7-5 will only broadcast BYU’s league games live. These broadcasts are also available 3/18 New Mexico * Albuquerque $ L, 5-6 on the Dish Network as well as over the Internet. Live stats are available for all 3/18 New Mexico * Albuquerque $ W, 19-6 home games. Links to the webcasts and audiocast are on the BYU baseball's sched- 3/19 New Mexico * Albuquerque % W, 4-3 (11 inn) ule page at www.byucougars.com. All of the BYU-UNM games will be on KOVO, 3/22 Utah Valley St. Provo +% W, 13-10 but only Saturday’s will be available via live audiostream. 3/24 Utah * Provo +% W, 6-5 3/26 Utah * Provo +% W, 7-2 Taylor Receives Trio of National Honors 3/26 Utah * Provo + W, 5-3 3/29 No. 17 Oregon St. Corvallis, OR $ L, 5-12 Brandon Taylor received three national honors last week and one this week: 3/29 No. 17 Oregon St. Corvallis, OR $ L, 6-11 National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball magazine this week and last 3/31 Air Force * Provo + W, 25-2 week National Hitter of the Week by the National Collegiate Baseball Writer’s 4/1 Air Force * Provo + W, 10-4 Association, the National Student Athlete of the Week by CSTV and the College 4/2 Air Force * Provo +% W, 18-5 4/4 Utah Valley St. Orem % W, 4-1 Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll, an honor he received again this week. 4/7 UNLV * Las Vegas +% W, 5-0 He hit for the cycle at Utah when he tied a school record with six hits. He hit for 4/8 UNLV * Las Vegas +% W, 11-9 the cycle again last week at Air Force to tie an NCAA record by hitting for two 4/9 UNLV * Las Vegas +% L, 6-10 cycles in a season, only the third player to do so in NCAA history. 4/12 Lewis-Clark St. Provo + W, 5-2 BYU Among Leaders in First Release of NCAA Statistics 4/14 San Diego St. * Provo + L, 4-10 4/15 San Diego St. * Provo +# W, 13-12 •First in doubles with a 2.93 average 4/16 San Diego St. * Provo +% W, 18-11 4/18 Utah Valley St. Orem L, 4-7 •First slugging with a .564 percentage. 4/21 Utah * Salt Lake City % W, 10-8 •Third nationally with a .345 batting average 4/22 Utah * Salt Lake City % L, 10-11 •Fourth in home runs with a 1.56 average 4/23 Utah * Salt Lake City % W, 19-6 •Sixth in scoring at 9.1 runs per game 4/26 No. Colorado Greeley, CO + L, 7-12 •19th in double plays per game at 1.11 4/27 No. Colorado Greeley, CO + W, 6-2 •25th in win-loss percentage at .700 4/29 Air Force * Colo. Springs W, 17-2 •Brandon Taylor is ranked fifth in RBI with an average of 1.51 4/29-30 Air Force * Colo. Springs L, 7-8 (11 inn) 4/30 Air Force * Colo. Springs % W, 17-9 •Brandon Taylor sixth nationally in home runs per game, averaging .38 5/2 Utah Valley St. Orem % W, 10-6 •Brandon Taylor 15th nationally in slugging, averaging .739 5/5-6 New Mexico * Provo + 7, 7 p.m. •Ben Saylor is ranked third in doubles per game with an average of 0.5 5/7 New Mexico * Provo +% 1 p.m. •Jeff Hiestand is ranked 16th in runs per game with an average of 1.3 5/12 UNLV * Provo + 7 p.m. •Jeff Hiestand is ranked 42nd in slugging, averaging .689 5/13 UNLV * Provo +# 7 p.m. •Apana Nakayama is ranked 40th in toughest to strikeout 5/14 UNLV * Provo +% 1 p.m. 5/18-20 San Diego St.* San Diego +% 6, 6, 1 p.m. Vance Law and staff 5/25-28 MWC Tourney Salt Lake City % 6/17-27 College Omaha, NE Vance Law played 14 years of pro ball, including 11 years in the majors with six * MWC Games, %Internet Audio, +web cast #BYUTV different teams. In 2001 he was named Coach of the Year for the Mountain West Conference. The 48-year-old coach is in his sixth year at BYU and has a 156-136-1 (.534) record coming into the 2005 season. He is assisted by Ryan Roberts, in his third year at BYU. Pitching coach Bobby Applegate is in his sec- www.byucougars.com BYU Baseball Release Page 2

Baseball Scoring with Two Outs ond year with BYU, having last coached at the Air Force Academy. Volunteer Opponent Runs w/2 out Result %Scored w/2out assistant Andrew Zinniger is in his first year on the BYU staff. UC Irvine 2 W, 5-0 40% UC Irvine 0 L, 6-9 0% Team Notes San Jose St. 1 L, 4-5 25% San Jose St. 7 W, 13-5 54% • For the fifth week in a row BYU received votes in the four major polls, again San Jose St. 2 T, 3-3 67% in the NCBWA (National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association), the Sports Oklahoma St. 3 L, 4-5 75% Weekly/ESPN College Baseball Coaches Poll, receiving four votes this week, Oklahoma St. 3 W, 9-8* 33% no votes last week, 11 votes three weeks and four weeks ago. Oral Roberts 3 L, 5-6 60% • Add Adrian Molina to the list of injured players as he was hit in the hand Oral Roberts 4 W, 6-2* 67% at Air Force and teammate Bryce Ayoso suffered a wrist injury in the cold Oral Roberts 1 W, 7-4* 14% at AFA. Ryan Chambers jammed his thumb sliding into third base at UVSC 9 W, 15-8* 60% Utah and Marcos Villezcas jammed his thumb in game one at Northern N.Mexico St. 2 W, 5-3* 40% Colorado. Brandon Taylor was hit in pre-game batting practice in the out- N. Mexico St 3 W, 11-7* 27% field by a San Diego State liner which required him to have 25 stitches N. Mexico St. 15 W, 22-7* 68% two layers deep. Sean McNaughton is expected back soon after being CSU-Pueblo 0 W, 2-1* 0% CSU-Pueblo 5 W, 7-5 71% out two-three weeks with a broken thumb. Ben Saylor and Casey Nelson New Mexico 2 L, 5-6 40% missed several games because of strep throat. Jeff Hiestand has been New Mexico 11 W, 19-6* 58% playing with an injured hand. Lefty Patrick Wells has been absent from New Mexico 2 W, 4-3* 50% the mound since February with an arm injury. UVSC 1 W, 13-10* 8% • Sean McNaughton tied a league and school record by hitting two triples in Utah 5 W, 6-5* 83% the 18-5 victory over Air Force. Brandon Taylor got six consecutive hits in Utah 4 W, 7-2* 57% the 19-6 victory at Utah to tie a school record for six hits in a game. Utah 0 W, 5-3* 0% • Jeff Hiestand leads the team hitting in 24 consecutive games, followed by Oregon St. 1 L, 5-12 20% Ben Saylor at 16 games and Apana Nakayama at 13. Oregon St. 1 L, 6-11 17% • Ben Saylor’s 16-game hitting streak ended in a 9-6 loss to UC Irvine Feb18. Air Force 7 W, 25-2 28% • Ben Saylor’s 15-game hitting streak was the longest for BYU last season and Air Force 5 W, 10-4* 50% Air Force 3 W, 18-5 17% Sean McNaughton’s 15-game hitting streak was the longest this season until UVSC 0 W, 4-1 0% Hiestand’s current streak. UNLV 3 W, 5-0 60% • Apana Nakayama leads the team with 22 multiple hit games, followed by UNLV 5 W, 11-9* 45% Marcos Villezcas and Ben Saylor with 21 and Sean McNaughton with 18 . UNLV 1 L, 6-10 17% Brandon Taylor leads the team with 17 multiple RBI games followed by Kory Lewis-Clark St.1 W, 5-2* 20% Knell, Jeff Hiestand and Sean McNaughton with 10. San Diego St. 1 L, 4-10 25% • Brandon Taylor led last year’s squad in multiple-hit games with 22. Ben San Diego St. 11 W, 13-12* 85% Saylor and Ryan Chambers each had 18 multiple-hit games, and Kory Knell San Diego St. 6 W, 18-11* 33% had 16. Taylor led the team with nine three-hit games. UVSC 3 L, 4-7 75% • Game-winning RBI have been recorded this season by Kory Knell and Ben Utah 0 W, 10-8 0% Saylor with five, followed by Taylor 4; Villezcas and Hiestand each with 3; Utah 3 L, 10-11 30% Utah 2 W, 19-6 11% Chambers, Cloward, Molina, Nakayama and Nelson each with two; and No. Colo. 3 L, 7-12 43% McNaughton and with one. No. Colo. 5 W, 6-2* 83% • The Cougars were 4-2 in six extra-inning games last season with BYU’s longest Air Force 8 W, 17-2 47% extra-inning game ever being played on March 27, 2004 in a 17-inning win over Air Force 0 L, 7-8 0% Utah. This season BYU is 1-2 in extra-inning contests. Air Force 12 W, 17-9 71% BYU Scoring With Two Outs UVSC 4 W, 10-6 40% Totals: 168 420 total runs 40% The accompanying chart to the left shows BYU practices what Coach Vance *Indicates come-from-behind victory Law preaches, you can still score with two outs. BYU has won 21 of its 32 games in come-from-behind fashion. Law also wanted to lead the nation in BYU Quick Facts doubles...see chart at the end of this release. Location: Provo, Utah 84602 Enrollment: 33,278 (Daytime) Last Years’ Average Attendance Highest Ever at Miller Field Founded: Oct. 15, 1875, by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Last year, in its fifth full season at Larry H. Miller Field, attendance barely Colors: Navy, Tan and White missed the 100,000 milestone, falling 323 fans short. BYU averaged 1,630 Nickname: Cougars fans per game last year in 15 dates, the highest average in Miller Park’s Mascot: Cosmo (the Cougar) five-year history. The Cougars have ranked nationally in attendance in all Affiliation: NCAA Division I four previous years at Miller Field. The park surpassed the 100,000-fan Conference: Mountain West milestone in the first home game of the 2005 season, at 100,662. Field: Larry H. Miller Field (2,300) Attendance Ranks Nationally President: Cecil O. Samuelson Men’s AD: Tom Holmoe Attendance at Larry H. Miller field ranked 35th nationally in 2004 with an aver- Ticket Office Phone: (801) 378-BYU1 or age of 1,630 in 15 games and a total of 24,455 fans. The Cougars' entered this 1-800-322-BYU1 season with a 51-21 (.708) record at Larry H. Miller Field. BYU drew its fifth- largest crowd ever in 2004 with 2,505 fans on April 16 against SDSU and its sev- enth-largest crowd with 2,293 fans in a game against UNLV on March 19. www.byucougars.com BYU Baseball Release Page 3

Attendance at Larry H. Miller Field Date Opponent Attendance 3/22/03 UNLV 1,527 4/26/01 San Diego St. (Night) 1,059 5/11/01 UNLV (Night) 3,120 3/20/04 UNLV 1,504 4/17/04 SDSU 1,052 4/5/02 Utah (Night) 2,863 3/18/04 UNLV (Night) 1,494 5/8/04 New Mexico 1,042 4/6/02 Utah (Night) 2,611 5/22/04 Air Force 1,487 5/4/02 UNLV 1,040 5/2/03 Utah (Night) 2,512 5/22/04 Air Force — (DH) 4/28/01 San Diego St. 1,014 4/16/04 SDSU (Night) 2,505 3/23/02 SDSU, suspended 1,440 5/10/03 San Diego St. 1,007 5/25/02 SDSU 2,396 4/27/01 San Diego St. (Night) 1,398 3/8/05 Utah Valley St. 985 5/25/02 SDSU (Night) — (DH) 5/1/03 Utah (Night) 1,392 5/7/02 Southern Utah (Night) 948 4/15/05 SDSU (Night) 2,369 4/21/01 Utah 1,371 3/14/05 Colo. St.-Pueblo 947 3/19/04 UNLV (Night) 2,293 5/12/01 UNLV 1,318 5/2/02 UNLV (Night) 913 4/11/03 Air Force (Night) 2,274 5/10/01 UNLV (Night) 1,282 3/15/05 Colo. St.-Pueblo 880 4/4/02 Utah (Night) 2,251 4/12/03 Air Force 1,276 4/17/01 Southern Utah 862 4/30/04 Utah (Night) 2,201 4/20/01 Utah (Night) 1,274 4/16/01 Southern Utah 809 5/1/04 Utah (Night) 2,102 4/25/02 Air Force (Night) 1,258 5/9/03 San Diego St. 820 4/16/05 San Diego State 2,064 5/6/04 New Mexico (Night) 1,252 5/9/03 San Diego St. — (DH) 4/14/05 San Diego State (Night) 2,015 4/15/04 SDSU (Night) 1,247 4/12/05 Lewis-Clark St. 815 5/21/04 Air Force 1,986 5/18/02 New Mexico 1,229 3/24/05 Utah (Night) 771 5/21/04 Åir Force (Night) — (DH) 5/12/03 Southern Utah 1,219 4/7/03 Southern Utah 543 4/26/02 Air Force (Night) 1,964 4/17/03 New Mexico (Night) 1,216 3/22/05 Utah Valley St. (Night) 256 4/1/05 Air Force (Night) 1,862 3/31/05 Air Force (Night) 1,207 5/7/04 New Mexico (Night) 1,850 5/20/04 Air Force 1,202 Totals 117,325 (Avg. 1,524, 9 DH) 5/17/02 New Mexico (Night) 1,831 5/20/04 Air Force (Night) — (DH) All Nighttime 82,710 (Avg. 1,654) 4/2/05 Air Force (Night) 1,759 5/3/02 UNLV (Night) 1,189 3/22/02 SDSU (Night) 1,748 5/16/02 New Mexico (Night) 1,183 2005 17,648 (12 dates, 1 DH) (Avg. 1,471) 3/26/05 Utah 1,718 5/6/02 Southern Utah 1,178 2004 24,355 (15 dates, 3 DH) (Avg. 1,624) 3/26/05 Utah — (DH) 5/22/02 Air Force (Night) 1,177 2003 22,460(16 dates, 2 DH) (Avg. 1,404) 5/24/02 SDSU 1,713 3/21/02 SDSU (Night) 1,176 2002 31,275(20 dates, 2 DH) (Avg. 1,564) 5/24/02 UNLV (Night) — (DH) 5/23/02 UNLV (Night) 1,167 2001 17,378 (13 dates, 1 DH) (Avg. 1,337) 5/13/03 Southern Utah (Night) 1,711 4/13/01 New Mexico (Night) 1,143 4/19/03 New Mexico 1,668 4/29/04 Utah (Night) 1,138 Night record: 35-15 4/19/03 New Mexico — (DH) 4/14/01 New Mexico 1,119 Overall Record @ Miller Park: 64-22 4/19/01 Utah (Night) 1,609 4/14/01 New Mexico — (DH) Losses 4/10/03 Air Force (Night) 1,601 3/20/03 UNLV 1,092 3/21/03 UNLV (Night) 1,530 5/3/03 Utah 1,072 Fifth Full Year in New Ballpark at Home This is BYU’s fifth full season at Miller Field, named in honor of Larry H. and Gail Miller, who made a significant financial contribution toward the facility. The baseball field is built on the site the original field was constructed on in 1969 and is named Larry H. Miller Field. The baseball portion seats 2,204 (675 in the lower bowl) and mirrors a back-to-back concept with the adjoining softball field and a shared press box. Both fields have lights. The field measures 400 feet in center, 388 in the alleys and remains at 345 down the lines. BYU played its first night games in Provo with the opening of Miller Park. This Year’s Attendance BYU drew 6,448 for an average of 2,149 fans during the three-game SDSU series, including the seventh-best crowd, 2,369 in the four-plus-year history of Miller Park. Star Players Moving from Short to Third Becoming an Annual Event Last year, it was star Ranger Wiens making the switch from short to third to make room for young star Brandon Taylor to play short stop. Now, Taylor is coming off a memorable season and has been asked to make a similar move to third. Taylor’s move is to make room for newcomer Marcos Villezcas, a switch-hitting transfer from San Diego. BYU head coach Vance Law also transferred to third from shortstop in the major leagues. Father and Son BYU Coach Vance Law and his son Andrew are one of at least two father/son combinations that have a coach/player rela- tionship in college baseball. Kansas Coach and his son Ritchie is the other combination. Regarding BYU this season • Saturday vs. UNM is Cosmo's Kids Club Day and Kids Take Over Miller Park Day. Kids will be helping take tickets, read PA's, select music, and rake the field with the grounds crew. Kids will be selected starting at 12 noon at Cosmo's Kids Club Party. There is a FREE Youth Baseball Clinic (ages of 8-12, pre-register on www.byucougars.com) following the 1 p.m. game vs. New Mexico. • Movie Night at Miller Park was April 5 (Tuesday) at 7 p.m. Fans watched the movie Field of Dreams on a 30-foot screen. www.byucougars.com BYU Baseball Release P

Eagle Scouts on BYU’s Team (11) This was the third annual Movie Night at Miller Park. Joshua Barrett RHP So. • BYU has seven current players who are married (Michel Bergeron, Anthony Bingham, Casey Cloward, Tyler Heid, Dave Horlacher, Casey Nelson and Justin Michel Bergeron RHP Sr. Su’a). Casey Cloward C Sr. • There are 16 players on the team who have served two-year volunteer Church Seth Iorg OF Fr. missions, 14 of whom were assigned outside the United States and speak seven Andrew Law 2B Fr. languages (Spanish, Japanese, French, Italian, Thai, Tagalog and Russian). Apana Nakayama C Jr. • Incorporated into this year’s team are three players who have just finished serv- ing two-year Church missions (Thomas Bills, Matt Jensen and Apana James Platt RHP Jr. Nakayama). Brandon Relf INF Fr. • Nine players transferred to BYU this season (Brandon Christiansen, Dave Ben Saylor 1B/OF Jr. Horlacher, Matthew Jensen, Adrian Molina, Apana Nakayama, Casey Nelson, Kevin Sloan SS/2B Fr. James Platt, Marcos Villezcas and Mitch Woolf). • Among those throwing batting practice to BYU again this season is former Cy Brandon Taylor 3B Jr. Young winner Vernon Law (1960 Pittsburgh Pirates), father of BYU head coach Vance Law. Vernon turned 75-years-old this past March, but recently had seven- College Coaches Who Played In Majors by-pass heart surgery and isn’t allowed to throw batting practice any more this Jerry Augustine Wisc-Milwaukee season. Scott Bradley Princeton Miles Piling Up Jim Farr William & Mary The Cougars will travel over 14,000 miles this season. With road trips to Rice Oregon (Oregon State) and Oklahoma (Oklahoma State and Oral Roberts) Tony Gwynn San Diego State adding to the annual, early-season California trip, the baseball team will see a Keith Kessinger Arkansas State lot of the inside of a bus. Prior to conference play, the Cougars will net 6,952 miles. They will get a total of 9,782 miles traveling to non-conferences games. Vance Law BYU Grades and graduation Pepperdine Ed Sprague Pacific Several BYU baseball players have graduation in their sights, including Kory Knell, Yale who leads the team with a 3.92 cumulative GPA and perfect 4.0 semesters in the Fall of 2002, Winter of 2003 and Spring of 2004. He tutors others in accounting and math. Current pitcher Michel Bergeron (humanities) graduated with his wife in Pronunciation Guide mid-April as did former players Blair Lucas, Wade Vest, and Ranger Wiens. Kevin Bryce Ayoso IGH-oh-soh Bills, who played last year, will graduate in August along with former Cougar Michel Bergeron MEE-shehl pitcher Curtis Rodriguez. BURR-juh-rawn International Flavor Casey Cloward klOW-ahrd There are 17 foreign countries represented and seven foreign languages spoken on Jake Drzayich DRUH-zigh-itch this year’s baseball team. The Cougars have 16 players who volunteered two years Tyler Heid h-IGH-d for Church missions. Fourteen of the 16 spent their mission service outside the Jeff Hiestand HEE-stand United States, including pitcher Joshua Barrett who served in three countries (Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia). Since missionaries don’t play baseball while serving, Dave Horlacher h-OR-locker the BYU players and coaches have spent time playing baseball outside U.S. include: Seth Iorg Rhymes with George, OAR-j Bryce Ayoso Russia-2003 Summer Moscow-Utah Games Kory Knell n-EL Josh Barrett Canada-2004 Summer League Sean McNaughton mc-NAW-tuhn Michel Bergeron Canada-native Adrian Molina Moh-LEE-nuh Kory Knell Dominican Republic-2004 Summer League Justin Su’a Samoa-1998 Oceanic Games/Guam-1999 Summer Tourney Apana Nakayama UH-paw-nuh Marcos Villezcas Mexico-youth baseball games naw-kuh-YAW-muh Coach Vance LawMontreal, Canada; Japan-Pro Baseball; Dominican Republic & Alec Reichle rich-LEE Puerto Rico for Winter Ball Justin Su’a SOO-uh Two for One: Part One Marcos Villezcas vee-YES-kahs Ryan Chambers can do it all on a baseball field. Last season during a grueling six- game, three-day series against Air Force head coach Vance Law asked Chambers to 2005 MWC Preseason Poll finish a game on the mound. The southpaw entered the game and promptly struck PL. Team (1st Votes)Points out the side, giving up no hits or walks. 1. San Diego State (8) 78 This year expect to see more of the athletic centerfielder on the mound. Chambers will be pulling double duty, adding a powerful bat, a reliable glove and a 2. New Mexico (4) 22 left-handed arm to his team. Chambers isn’t the only player ever to accomplish this 3. UNLV (2) 61 feat. He will join a club of major league all-stars like Todd Helton, Tim Hudson, 4. BYU 49 John Olerud and legend Dave Winfield that all were star pitchers and hitters during 5. Utah 27 their college days. 6. Air Force 15 Two for One: Part Two One of three dates remain for BYU baseball playing at the same time as BYU soft- ball.www.byucougars.com Because of the unique layout of BYU Miller Park, fans are able to see both the BYU Baseball Release Page 5

Boyd’s World Top 20 Poll softball game at Gail Miller Field and the baseball game at Larry H. Miller field. May 3, 2005 Below are listed the coinciding dates and times for the two sports. Individual game PL.Team (Last Week) ISR W L prices are $5 for General Admission, $4 for students and faculty and $2 for groups 1-Oregon State 125.1 32 8 larger than 15 people. Baseball Date Softball 2-Texas 124.9 37 9 SDSU, 7 p.m. April 15 CSU 5 & 7 p.m. 3-Cal State Fullerton 124.0 33 11 SDSU, 1 p.m. April 16 UNM 2 & 4 p.m. 4-Tulane 124.2 38 8 UNM, 7 p.m. May 6 Florida State 5 & 7 p.m. 5-Long Beach State 121.9 32 14 They Said It 6-Southern California 121.3 27 15 7-Arizona State 119.9 29 17 • UC Irvine Coach Dave Serrano, whose No. 19 Anteaters were upset 5-1 by 8-Stanford 119.4 25 15 BYU, said. "My compliments to BYU, they did to us what we have been 9-Mississippi 119.4 32 13 doing to others. We didn't know that much about (them) coming in. We have a lot of respect (for them)." 10-Baylor 118.9 30 17 • San Jose State Coach said he was disappointed his team couldn't 11-LSU 118.9 31 14 take two out of three against BYU: “When you play at home, you expect to 12-Nebraska 118.4 37 9 win the series - I don’t care who you play. If the Yankees came in here, we 13-Arizona 118.1 29 15 feel we should beat the Yankees too, because that’s the way we feel about the 14-Pepperdine 118.0 27 16 home field.” 15-Florida 117.6 31 12 • Former Oklahoma State and New Mexico State head coach Gary Ward, who 16-Cal Poly 117.5 30 14 currently is OSU’s radio color analyst, on BYU’s Jeff Hiestand: “He’s built 17-Miami, Fla. 117.4 33 11 like and swings like Rusty Staub, with a good, short, quick bat.” • Utah Valley State College Coach Steve Gardner on his former player: 18-South Carolina 116.9 32 12 “(Apana) Nakayama’s gonna hurt somebody he’s so big and strong. I always 19-North Carolina 116.9 36 10 thought that you put a bat in his hands, it’'s a lethal weapon.” 20-Georgia Tech 116.9 32 12 • Two coaches commenting on pitcher Mitch Woolf’s complete game, 2-1 victo- 31-UC Irvine 115.5 23 18 ry over Colorado State-Pueblo: “Woolf did a good job against us,” said CSU 55-Oklahoma State 110.6 30 18 Coach Stan Sanchez. “He found the curve and kept mixing pitches. We tried *58-Brigham Young (49) 110.2 29 13 to stay on pitches but couldn’t. He had a really, really tough curve." BYU 76-Oral Roberts 107.7 23 16 Coach Vance Law said, “This is what we’ve seen from him in practice. He’s 85-San Jose State 106.5 21 19 got a nasty, nasty curve ball. He’s got as good a curve ball as you’ll see in col- lege baseball. When you have command of a couple of pitches it keeps the 95-UNLV 105.6 22 24 hitters off balance." 126-New Mexico State 102.1 21 20 • “McNaughton (Sean) has got to get some national attention for a freshman,” 136-San Diego State 100.0 18 27 said BYU Coach Vance Law. “He’s explosive, strong and has a very compact 158-New Mexico 98.9 19 25 swing. He is a little cocky, but he has a lot of confidence. Just watching him 171-Utah 97.5 15 24 swing a bat, that indicated he had a chance to be a pretty special player. The 174-Northern Colorado 97.3 15 27 ball just explodes off his bat. He’s got a ways to go before he’s a polished 216-Utah Valley State 91.0 14 31 infielder. We needed to get his bat in the lineup. Really, the only available 274-Air Force 80.4 6 36 spot for him would be to play second base. As long as he didn’t kill us defen- sively, we could live with that.” *BYU’s highest ranking was 14th on Mar. 22 • Oregon State Coach Pat Casey said: "That's a club (BYU) that's going to prob- The Iterative Strength Ratings (ISR's) are the ably win their conference and play in a regional and probably have 35 wins. author's best attempt at an objective rating system They came in here 17-5-1 and we talked to some people who said they were a which covers all Division I teams. More information very good club, and they are." about the rating system -- including past results so • “We have a very good offensive ball club. I’m not afraid to face any pitching that you can get a feel for how accurate they are, a staff with our hitters,” said BYU Coach Vance Law. technical description of the methods used, and infor- • “To me, BYU is the most balanced team in the league after we have played mation about the author -- can be found on the everybody one time through,” said Utah Coach . Their offense, Boyd's World Web site at defense and starting pitching are why they are leading the league at this point. We’ll have to pitch well, because they can really swing the bats. They http://www.boydsworld.com. Records listed are are awfully good.” those against Division I competition only. • “He’s (Taylor) the catalyst, the anchor of our lineup. He’s done it all year for 2005 MWC Standings as of 5/3 us,” Coach Vance Law said. “(Hitting for the cycle) was an accomplishment. I played a lot of years and never had one. He continues to carry us, but we MWC Overall expect that of him, he’s that exceptional. he is as good of defensive third W-L GB W-L baseman as there is in the majors. He is bar far the best player in our confer- BYU 16-5 - 32-13-1 ence. He is one of the best in college baseball. He made a couple of plays at UNLV 16-5 - 22-24 Air Force that I’m not sure I could have made. I hope our fans enjoy watch- SDSU* 12-9 4 18-28 ing him.” UNM 9-12 7 19-26 Utah 9-12 7 17-24 AFA* 1-20 15 6-36 *includes two forfeited games www.byucougars.com BYU Baseball Release Page 6

Cougars on Missions (6) Player Profiles Player, Pos., Year @ BYU Place of Service Brandon Taylor Clayton Barnes, LHP, 2003 Mexico City West Blake Crosby, INF, 2003 Orlando, Fla. Hit twice for the cycle in 2005 (vs. Utah & AFA) to tie two Chris Johnson, SS, 2003 Everett, Wash. others for the NCAA record. Has hit grand slams in 2004 at Leon Johnson, OF, 2004 Siberia New Mexico State, vs. San Diego State and two at Utah. Mike Kessler, OF, 2004 Brazil One of three Cougars named to the 2004 All-Mountain West Conference baseball team. Named MWC Co-Player of the J.D. Stambaugh, LHP, 2004 Pocatello, Idaho Week for his performance against New Mexico State and UVSC. Taylor hit two solo home runs in an 11-10 win over Missions Served (16, 7 languages*) Santa Clara last year. He had a clutch double that drove in Player, Pos., Year @ BYU Place of Service Wade Vest in the 11th inning for a 7-6 victory over San Joshua Barrett, LHP, So. Lithuania (Russian) Diego State last year. Taylor earned MWC Player of the Thomas Bills, 1B, Fr. Montreal (French) Week honors after going 9-for-15 in a three game series against New Mexico on May 6-8, 2004; he homered three times and netted 10 RBI. Anthony Bingham, RHP, So. Chile (Spanish) Taylor had a career high of six RBI to help beat New Mexico 12-4 on May 7 of last Casey Cloward, C, Sr. Mexico (Spanish) year. He led the team with 14 home runs, 22 multi-hit games, nine three-hit games, Tyler Heid, RHP, Jr. Japan (Japanese) 17 multi-RBI games, 236 at bats, 73 hits, 15 doubles, 136 total bases and 54 RBI. Jeff Hiestand, 1B, Jr. Denver, Colo. Dave Horlacher, RHP, Jr. Chile (Spanish) Year Avg G-GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB-SBA Seth Iorg, OF, Fr. Ukraine (Russian) 2001* .340 52-52 188 40 64 18 1 1 34 87 16 16 7-9 Matthew Jensen, RHP, So. Thailand (Thai) 2004 .309 57-57 236 45 73 15 3 14 54 136 11 46 7-9 2005 .367 45-45 188 49 69 13 3 17 68 139 16 32 9-12 Kory Knell, Infield,1B, Sr. Illinois Apana Nakayama, C, Jr. Japan (Japanese) * At Utah Valley State College Kamron Nelson, RHP, Jr. Italy (Italian) James Platt, RHP, Jr. Russia (Russian) Sean McNaughton Ben Saylor, OF, Jr. Philippines (Tagalog) Justin Su’a, RHP, Jr. Nicaragua (Spanish) Named to Baseball America’s Midseason Freshman All- Brandon Taylor, 3B, Jr. Argentina (Spanish) America team. Turning lots of heads as a standout freshman from Washington and BYU’s leadoff batter. tied a league *Molina & Villezcas also speak fluent Spanish & and school record by hitting two triples in the 18-5 victory Bergeron speaks fluent French over Air Force. He hit three doubles in game two at New Mexico State, tying his older brother Troy who went on the Married Players (8) Wife play AAA ball after BYU. McNaughton also hit a pair of Michel Bergeron, RHP, Sr. Penelope Grebe homers in game two at New Mexico State. He hit a leadoff Anthony Bingham, RHP, Jr. Desirae Hadfield homer in the first inning in game one against Utah Valley State. In game one at New Mexico he put BYU on the scoreboard with a two-run homer and tried to Casey Cloward, C, Sr. Amberlee Searle extend his triple in the ninth to an inside the park homer. He is one of BYU’s Tyler Heid, RHP, Jr. Ashley Sheffield fastest baserunners and has incredible bat speed. Dave Horlacher, RHP, Jr. Ashley Weaver Year Avg G-GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB-SBA Casey Nelson, C, Jr. Wendi Wilson 2005 .346 36-36 156 36 54 14 4 10 37 106 10 28 4-5 Justin Su’a, RHP, Jr. Melissa Sanchez Brandon Taylor, 3B, Jr. Aubrey Low Ryan Chambers Chambers was named to the 2005 preseason national Top Pitching Outings of 2005 Wallace Watch list. Following his performance in March Hits Pitcher Opponent, W-L against Colorado State-Pueblo and New Mexico, he was 4* Dave Horlacher @ UNLV, W 5-0 named MWC Player of the Week. Last year, he was named 4+ Patrick Wells San Jose St., W 13-5 MWC Player of the Week for his performance at the 5* Mitch Woolf CSU-Pueblo, W 2-1 Pepsi/Johnny Quik Classic at Fresno in mid-March. He *complete game, +6 innings broke a 14-year-old record by blasting four triples. Chambers made his pitching debut striking out the side against Air Force, leaving him with an ERA of 0.00 and 27 Top Pitching Outings of 2005 strikeouts per nine innings. His sophomore season, K’s Pitcher Opponent, W-L Chambers led the team with 10 home runs in conference play, ending the season 13= Matt Jensen (6 inn) Lewis-Clark St., W 5-2 tied for first with 11. He led the MWC in total bases for league games only and was 10 Matt Jensen (6 inn) CSU-Pueblo, W 7-5 second with a of .714. 10 Dave Horlacher (8+) @ N.Mexico, L 5-6 9 Dave Horlacher (8 inn)@ Air Force, W 17-2 Year Avg G-GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB-SBA 2002 .291 39-30 110 18 32 9 2 2 19 51 13 18 6-6 8* Dave Horlacher (8 inn) Oral Roberts, L 5-6 2003 .327 52-50 199 43 65 7 5 11 51 115 19 30 1-6 *complete game 2004 .290 55-53 224 52 65 12 6 4 41 101 25 40 8-9 =Justin Su’a also had 5 strikeouts that game 2005 .331 39-36 142 32 47 14 1 8 29 87 15 28 2-3 www.byucougars.com

BYU Baseball Release Page 7 Bloodlines for Current BYU Baseball Team

• Bryce Ayoso—brother, Jared, played baseball for two years at Utah Valley State College. • Michel Bergeron—father, Richard Bergeron, was a running back for the Royal Military Naval Academy. • Lance Beus—cousin Caroline Beus played women’s basketball for BYU (1998-2000), cousin Dan Beus played basketball for Southern Utah University, grandmother is a cousin to former major league pitcher and Cy Young Award winner Vernon Law, the father of BYU coach Vance Law. • Thomas Bills—father, Jeff Bills, played for BYU from 1972-75, grandfather Karol Bills played football and baseball in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Brother Kevin Bills finished his eligibility last season for BYU. • Casey Cloward—father, Rod Cloward, played for BYU baseball from 1969-72. Wife, Amberlee Searle Cloward, is the sister of former BYU pitcher Bryce Searle. • Jake Drzayich—father, Emil, is a coach at Eagle (Idaho) High and played baseball in the Cincinnati Reds organization. • Tyler Heid—father, Edward Heid, is a scout for Seattle Mariners, uncle David Heid played baseball for BYU. Younger brother Trevor Heid played at Dixie College and signed with BYU baseball in November, 2003, but was drafted and signed in 2004 by the Seattle Mariners. • Dave Horlacher—father, Russ, played baseball and football at Dixie College and grandfather, Robert Horlacher coached at Dixie College and played football at Utah State. • Seth Iorg—father, , played 10 years in the major leagues with the Phillies, Cardinals, Royals and Padres and won two World Series rings with the Cardinals and Royals. Uncle played nine years in the major leagues with the . Uncle Lee Iorg and cousin Isaac Iorg also played baseball at BYU. Isaac was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2001 and now plays in the Atlanta Braves organization. Dane (1969- 71) and Lee (1971-74) are members of the BYU Hall of Fame and were All- Americans at BYU. Cousin Eli Iorg is a junior outfielder at the University of Tennessee after playing his freshman year at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala. Cousin , is a fresman with Alabama. • Matt Jensen—sister, Rachel, swam for BYU and brother, Michael, played football at Snow College. • Andrew Law—father, Vance, played and is the current head coach at BYU. Brother, Tim, played baseball for BYU for three years. Grandfather, Vernon, was the 1960 Cy Young award winner for the Pittsburg Pirates. Uncles also played baseball at BYU. Head Coach Vance Law, left, with his • Vance Law, head BYU coach—father, Vernon Law, was 1960 Cy Young father Vernon (1960 Cy Young Winner). winner and was a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1950-67), brother Veryl Vernon, now 75, had been throwing Law played basketball at BYU (1974-77) alongside Vance (1975-77), brothers batting practice for BYU until he Veldon Law (1975) and Vaughn Law (1979) played baseball for BYU, son Tim Law played baseball at Dixie in 1998, and at BYU in 2001, 2003-2004. Son underwent seven-bypass heart surgery Andrew Law signed with BYU baseball last November. last month. • Sean McNaughton—brother, Troy, played baseball at BYU and was draft- ed by the St. Louis Cardinals and also played for the . • Kam Nelson—late father, Dave, pitched for BYU and was the baseball coach and athletic director at UVSC. Uncles, Kim (baseball coach at Timpanogos High) and Clyde played baseball for BYU. Brother, D.G. played baseball for BYU and is now coach at Salt Lake Community College. Brother, Mac, plays at SLCC. • Ryan Roberts, assistant BYU coach—wife, Angela Roberts, played volleyball at Idaho State and UVSC, sister Allison Roberts plays volleyball at the Univ. of Houston, uncle Larry Schenk played baseball for BYU in 1959. • Justin Su’a—father, Murphy Su’a, is a former BYU All-American (1978-79) and is the hitting coach at Cal State Dominguez Hills. Sophomore sister Tasha competes in the weight events for BYU’s track team. • Brandon Taylor—grandpa Robert Taylor played quarterback at Ricks College, uncle Val Taylor played football at BYU. • Blake Torgerson—father, Dave, played for BYU in 1975. • Andy Zinniger, volunteer BYU coach—father played baseball at BYU from 1968-69 and played for the organization.

www.byucougars.com BYU BASEBALL NEWS 2005 Roster 2005 ROSTER No.Player Pos. Ht. Wt. B-T Yr. Hometown 1 Adrian Molina OF 6-0 170 R-R Jr.-TR San Diego, Calif. (Southwestern College) 3 *Brandon Taylor 3B 6-2 190 R-R Jr.-1V Orem (UVSC) 4 *Patrick Wells LHP 6-0 180 B-L Sr.-1V West Jordan (CEU) 5 Bryce Ayoso C 5-10 185 R-R Fr.-HS Provo (Provo) 6 Andrew Law 2B 6-1 175 R-R Fr.-HS Provo (Provo) 7 James Platt RHP 6-3 200 R-R Jr.-TR Cedar City (Dixie College) 8 Casey Nelson C 5-9 185 R-R Jr.-TR Spanish Fork (Salt Lake CC) 9 ***Casey Cloward C 5-11 180 R-R Sr.-3V Salem (Spanish Fork) 10 Marcos Villezcas INF 5-11 175 S-R Jr.-TR San Diego, Calif. (Southwestern College) 11 Dave Horlacher RHP 6-3 180 R-R Jr.-TR St. George (Dixie College) 12 $*Kory Knell OF 6-0 190 R-R Sr.-1V Salt Lake City (Saddleback CC) 13 Kevin Sloan SS/2B 6-2 180 R-R Fr.-HS Kansas City, Missouri (Park Hill South) 14 *Lance Beus LHP 6-0 180 L-L Sr.-1V Meridian, Idaho (Cochise CC) 15 Sean McNaughton 2B 5-8 170 R-R Fr.-HS Lakewood, Washington (Curtis) 16 **Jeff Hiestand 1B 5-11 215 L-R Jr.-2V Chino, California (Chino) 17 **Tyler Heid RHP 6-2 175 R-R Jr.-2V Glendale, Arizona (Cactus) 18 Mitch Woolf RHP 6-3 215 R-R Jr.-TR Rexburg, Idaho (College Southern Idaho) 19 Seth Iorg OF 6-0 175 R-R Fr.-RS Pleasant Grove (Pleasant Grove) 21 Matthew Jensen RHP 6-2 185 R-R So.-TR Alpine (Utah Valley State) 22 ***Ryan Chambers OF/P 6-0 165 L-L Sr.-3V Yucaipa, California (Yucaipa) 23 *Joshua Barrett RHP 6-1 170 R-R So.-1V Pleasant View (Arizona St.) 24 Apana Nakayama C 5-10 190 L-R Jr.-TR Kaunakakai,Hawai`i (UVSC/Molokai) 25 *Ben Saylor 1B/OF 6-4 215 L-R Jr.-1V Sandy (Hillcrest) 26 Brandon Relf INF 5-10 180 R-R Fr.-HS Sandy, Utah (Alta) 27 **Justin Su’a RHP 6-3 183 R-R Jr.-2V Torrance, California (West) 28 *Anthony Bingham RHP 6-2 195 R-R Jr.-1V Mission Viejo, California (Capistrano Valley) 30 $*Michel Bergeron RHP 6-2 195 L-R Sr.-1V Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (St. Petersburg JC) 31 Brandon Christiansen RHP 6-2 225 R-R Jr.-TR West Jordan (College Southern Idaho) Coaches32 Blake Torgerson RHP 6-4 190 R-R Fr.-HS Westminster, CA (Westminster) 2—Vance Law, Head Coach, 29—Ryan Roberts, Assistant Coach, 34-Bobby Applegate, Pitching Coach, 37-Volunteer Coach Andy Zinniger. * Letters $Co-captains Honors for 2005 Josh Barrett, Pitcher Brandon Taylor, Shortstop Kory Knell, Outfield MWC Pitcher of the Week vs. UNM Louisville Slugger National Player of Cougar Scholar-Athlete Preseason All-MWC the Week (Collegiate Baseball) Thomas Bills, First Base Cougar Club Memorial Award vs. Air Force Cougar Scholar-Athlete National Hitter of the Week (NCBWA) Cougar Scholar-Athlete CoSida Academic All-District VIII vs. Utah Ryan Chambers, Outfield Nominated CoSida Academic All-Amer CSTV NationalStudent-Athletes of the Nominated NCAA Post-Graduate Week (April 24) MWC Player of the Week vs. UNM Scholar College Baseball Foundation National College Baseball Foundation National Andrew Law, Second Base Honor Roll (May 2) Honor Roll (March 22) College Baseball Foundation National Wallace Watch List Cougar Scholar-Athlete Honor Roll (April 26) Baseball America: Sean McNaughton, Second Base College Baseball Foundation National Preseason All-Conference Honor Roll (April 5) Best Athlete Baseball America: MWC Co-Player of the Week vs.AFA Best Baserunner Midseason Freshman All-America MWC Co-Player of the Week vs.NM St. Best Defensive Outfielder James Platt, Pitcher Xanthus- Brandon Christiansen, Pitcher Trophy Watch List MWC Pitcher of the Week vs.UC Irvine Wallace Watch List MWC Pitcher of the Week vs. Utah Cougar Scholar-Athlete Preseason All-MWC Casey Cloward, Catcher Brandon Romney, Pitcher Baseball America: Preseason All-Conference Baseball America: Cougar Scholar-Athlete Fourth best ‘05-’06 Draft Best Throwing Catcher Prospect in MWC Cougar Scholar-Athlete Ben Saylor, Outfield, First Base Cougar Scholar-Athlete Nominated CoSida Academic All- KSL Subway Sub of the Week vs. SDSU America Preseason All-MWC Blake Torgerson, Pitcher Tyler Heid, Pitcher Baseball America: Preseason All-Conference Cougar Scholar-Athlete Cougar Scholar-Athlete Kevin Sloan, Third Base Mitch Woolf, Pitcher Jeff Hiestand, First Base Cougar Scholar-Athlete Cougar Scholar-Athlete MWC Player of the Week vs. Utah Justin Su’a, Pitcher Cougar Scholar-Athlete Dave Horlacher, Pitcher Cougar Scholar-Athlete MWC Pitcher of the Week vs. UNLV Seth Iorg, Outfield Cougar Scholar-Athlete

www.byucougars.com

2005 Current BYU Baseball Statistics

Record: 32-13-1 Home: 13-1 Away: 19-12-1 MWC: 16-5

Player AVG GP GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB SLG% BB HBP SO GDP OB% SF SH SB ATT PO A E FLD% HIESTAND, Jeff .396 38 37 144 49 57 14 1 8 37 97 .674 20 9 32 2 .491 2 1 1 2 339 21 4 .989 TAYLOR, Brandon .373 46 46 193 51 72 13 3 18 72 145 .751 16 6 33 6 .431 3 0 9 12 32 108 11 .927 LAW, Andrew .367 22 9 49 11 18 1 1 0 6 21 .429 3 3 10 1 .436 0 2 0 0 25 37 4 .939 NAKAYAMA, A .354 46 46 206 50 73 15 2 8 42 116 .563 18 1 14 7 .405 2 0 1 1 25 2 3 .900 SAYLOR, Ben .352 41 41 176 42 62 20 0 8 36 106 .602 11 2 39 3 .395 1 0 2 2 109 4 1 .991 VILLEZCAS, Ma .350 45 45 183 43 64 12 2 2 37 86 .470 16 2 19 4 .394 7 3 1 1 58 122 10 .947 McNAUGHTON, .346 36 36 156 36 54 14 4 10 37 106 .679 10 2 28 2 .391 1 0 4 5 67 95 13 .926 MOLINA, Adrian .346 36 25 104 24 36 8 0 1 21 47 .452 8 9 14 3 .427 3 1 3 3 57 2 2 .967 CHAMBERS, Ryan.331 39 36 142 32 47 14 1 8 29 87 .613 15 1 28 3 .394 2 3 2 3 71 0 4 .947 KNELL, Kory .329 42 40 143 37 47 9 1 5 36 73 .510 21 7 27 4 .431 3 3 8 13 73 4 2 .975 RELF, Brandon .320 13 2 25 5 8 2 0 1 3 13 .520 3 0 5 0 .393 0 0 0 0 10 17 3 .900 CLOWARD, Casey.316 29 20 79 17 25 6 1 0 19 33 .418 6 0 13 2 .348 4 0 1 3 133 13 1 .993 SLOAN, Kevin .313 15 1 16 5 5 1 0 0 3 6 .375 1 0 5 0 .333 1 0 1 1 6 7 0 1.000 NELSON, Casey .309 27 24 81 12 25 4 0 1 16 32 .395 6 2 10 2 .355 4 3 0 0 162 16 2 .989 IORG, Seth .211 9 2 19 4 4 0 0 2 4 10 .526 0 1 3 0 .250 0 0 0 0 8 0 0 1.000 AYOSO, Bryce .200 13 4 30 2 6 1 0 0 1 7 .233 2 1 10 0 .273 0 0 0 0 29 3 1 .970 JENSEN, Matthew.000 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 0 0 1 0 .000 0 0 0 0 1 5 2 .750

Totals .345 46 46 1747 420 603 134 16 72 399 985 .564 156 46 291 39 .406 33 16 33 46 1228 524 68 .963 Opponents .285 46 46 1626 275 463 89 9 44 245 702 .432 140 51 306 43 .357 16 22 33 47 1220 499 63 .965 LOB - Team (359), Opp (354). DPs turned - Team (50), Opp (45). CI - Team (2), NELSON 1, CLOWARD 1, Opp (1). IBB - Team (8), HIESTAND 2, NAKAYAMA 2, TAYLOR 2, MOLINA 1, SAYLOR 1, Opp (1). Picked off - CLOWARD 3, TAYLOR 2, NELSON 2, VILLEZCAS 1, KNELL 1, McNAUGHTON 1.

Player ERA W L APP GS CG SHO CBO SV IP H R ER BB SO 2B 3B HR ABB/Avg WP HBP BK SFA SHA

CHAMBERS, Ryan 0.00 0 1 8 0 0 0 0 2 8.0 5 0 0 7 14 0 0 0 29 .172 0 0 0 0 0 HEID, Tyler 0.00 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 3.0 2 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 12 .167 0 1 0 0 0 JENSEN, Matthew 3.63 5 1 11 3 0 0 0 0 34.2 34 18 14 16 35 6 1 3 127 .268 1 3 0 4 2 HORLACHER, Dave 3.65 5 2 11 11 2 1 0 0 69.0 69 30 28 19 67 15 0 9 264 .261 4 7 0 2 2 BARRETT, Joshua 3.86 2 0 16 0 0 0 0 3 35.0 33 18 15 7 26 4 3 2 130 .254 2 5 0 1 2 SU'A, Justin 4.41 5 2 17 1 0 0 0 2 34.2 41 23 17 7 33 7 1 5 142 .289 4 6 1 2 2 CHRISTIANSEN,Brandon5.02 3 0 10 10 1 0 0 0 57.1 70 42 32 18 38 12 3 6 234 .299 3 6 2 2 2 WELLS, Patrick 5.23 1 1 2 2 0 0 0 0 10.1 12 9 6 3 6 4 1 1 44 .273 0 2 0 1 0 PLATT, James 5.31 3 1 15 3 0 0 0 3 42.1 55 27 25 9 23 12 0 4 170 .324 0 4 1 1 4 TORGERSON, Blake 6.03 6 2 11 10 0 0 0 0 59.2 76 51 40 9 19 15 0 8 247 .308 2 5 3 1 4 BEUS, Lance 6.48 1 0 11 0 0 0 0 0 16.2 18 15 12 15 11 5 0 3 66 .273 1 1 0 1 1 BINGHAM, Anthony 7.00 0 0 7 0 0 0 0 0 9.0 14 10 7 7 10 2 0 0 42 .333 1 1 1 0 1 WOOLF, Mitch 8.00 1 3 8 6 1 0 0 0 27.0 32 29 24 17 22 6 0 3 109 .294 7 9 0 1 2 BERGERON, Michel 10.12 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 2.2 2 3 3 4 2 1 0 0 10 .200 0 1 0 0 0

Totals 4.90 32 13 46 46 4 1 0 10 409.1 463 275 223140 306 89 9 44 1626 .285 25 51 8 16 22 Opponents 7.90 13 32 46 46 4 0 0 2 406.2 603 420 357156 291 134 16 72 1747 .345 35 46 6 33 16

PB - Team (5), NELSON 2, AYOSO 2, CLOWARD 1, Opp (11). Pickoffs - Team (3), BARRETT 1, HORLACHER 1, NELSON 1, Opp (10). SBA/ATT - NELSON (17-23), CLOWARD (11-19), HORLACHER (8-11), CHRISTIANSEN (3-8), SU'A (5-6), AYOSO (5-5), PLATT (3-4), JENSEN (3-4), TORGERSON (2-3), BEUS (2-3), BARRETT (3-3), BINGHAM (2-2), WOOLF (1-2), BERGERON (1-1).

www.byucougars.com 2005 BYU Baseball Results

Date Opponent W/L Score Site Rec. Div-Rec. Pitcher Opp. Pitcher Line Opp. Line Att. 2/17 @ UC Irvine W 5-1 A 1-0 0-0 Horlacher Nicoll 5-12-1 1-4-1 307 2/18 @ UC Irvine L 6-9 A 1-1 0-0 Wells Cassel 6-18-2 9-14-1 468 2/25 @ San Jose St.(10 Inn) L 4-5 A 1-2 0-0 Chambers Kilby 4-8-4 5-10-1 412 2/25 @ San Jose St. W 13-5 A 2-2 0-0 Wells Hennessey 13-14-2 5-5-2 — 2/26 @ San Jose St. T 3-3 A 2-2-1 0-0 Chambers Kilby 3-8-1 3-9-2 331 3/1 @ Oklahoma St. L 4-5 A 2-3-1 0-0 Torgerson Wright 4-8-2 5-8-0 307 3/2 @ Oklahoma St. W 9-8 A 3-3-1 0-0 Jensen Kronkosky 9-10-3 8-5-0 872 3/3 @ Oral Roberts L 5-6 A 3-4-1 0-0 Horlacher Hancock 5-9-0 6-10-0 312 3/4 @ Oral Roberts W 6-2 A 4-4-1 0-0 Christiansen McIntyre 6-12-0 2-8-2 512 3/5 @ Oral Roberts W 7-4 A 5-4-1 0-0 Torgerson Jones 7-10-0 4-9-1 488 3/8 Utah Valley St. W 15-8 H 6-4-1 0-0 Jensen Jensen 15-18-0 8-15-1 985 3/10 @ New Mexico St. W 5-3 A 7-4-1 0-0 Platt Cameron 5-10-1 3-5-3 183 3/11 @ New Mexico St. W 11-7 A 8-4-1 0-0 Barrett Hampel 11-12-1 7-11-3 213 3/12 @ New Mexico St. W 22-8 A 9-4-1 0-0 Torgerson Robinson 22-23-3 8-12-1 490 3/14 Colorado St.-Pueblo W 2-1 H 10-4-1 0-0 Woolf Williams 2-4-0 1-5-2 947 3/15 Colorado St.-Pueblo W 7-5 H 11-4-1 0-0 Jensen Bisel 7-13-2 5-9-0 880 3/18 @ New Mexico L 5-6 A 11-5-1 0-1 Platt Smith 5-12-0 6-14-0 795 3/18 @ New Mexico W 19-6 A 12-5-1 1-1 Su’a Gaarder 19-20-1 6-12-2 — 3/19 @ New Mexico(11 Inn) W 4-3 A 13-5-1 2-1 Barrett Smith 4-15-1 3-10-1 1558 3/22 Utah Valley St. W 13-10 H 14-5-1 2-1 Jensen Jensen 13-15-3 10-10-3 256 3/24 Utah W 6-5 H 15-5-1 3-1 Su’a Price 6-10-3 5-13-1 771 3/26 Utah W 7-2 H 16-5-1 4-1 Christiansen Crockett 7-15-2 2-7-0 1718 3/26 Utah W 5-3 H 17-5-1 5-1 Torgerson Lane 5-10-0 3-8-1 — 3/29 @ Oregon St. L 5-12 A 17-6-1 5-1 Woolf Nickerson 5-10-2 12-10-2 248 3/29 @ Oregon St. L 6-11 A 17-7-1 5-1 Su’a Turpen 6-9-3 11-16-1 263 3/31 Air Force W 25-2 H 18-7-1 6-1 Horlacher Brown 25-22-2 2-8-4 1207 4/1 Air Force W 10-4 H 19-7-1 7-1 Christiansen Pratt 10-13-2 4-7-2 1862 4/2 Air Force W 18-5 H 20-7-1 8-1 Torgerson Meyers 18-19-1 5-9-2 1759 4/4 @ Utah Valley St. W 4-1 A 21-7-1 8-1 Platt Mickolio 4-10-0 1-7-1 438 4/7 @ UNLV W 5-0 A 22-7-1 9-1 Horlacher Luca 5-8-1 0-4-0 253 4/8 @ UNLV W 11-9 A 23-7-1 10-1 Su’a Huseman 11-17-3 9-11-0 498 4/9 @ UNLV L 6-10 A 23-8-1 10-2 Torgerson Rodriguez 6-13-3 10-12-2 351 4/12 Lewis-Clark St. W 5-2 H 24-8-1 10-2 Su’a Wright 5-10-2 2-9-4 815 4/14 San Diego State L 4-10 H 24-9-1 10-3 Horlacher Hinton 4-6-0 10-17-3 2015 4/15 San Diego State W 13-12 H 25-9-1 11-3 Beus Esquibel 13-14-4 12-15-3 2369 4/16 San Diego State W 18-11 H 26-9-1 12-3 Jensen Bruckart 18-21-1 11-10-4 2064 4/18 @ Utah Valley St. L 4-7 A 26-10-1 12-3 Woolf Tash 4-13-2 7-12-1 739 4/21 @ Utah W 10-8 A 27-10-1 13-3 Horlacher Price 10-14-1 8-12-0 357 4/22 @ Utah L 10-11 A 27-11-1 13-4 Jensen Lane 10-13-3 11-16-1 732 4/23 @ Utah W 19-6 A 28-11-1 14-4 Torgerson Freed 19-24-2 6-9-0 556 4/26 @ Northern Colorado L 7-12 A 28-12-1 14-4 Woolf Allen 7-14-1 12-14-1 196 4/27 @ Northern Colorado W 6-2 A 29-12-1 14-4 Platt Pearson 6-8-0 2-11-0 198 4/29 @ Air Force W 17-2 A 30-12-1 15-4 Horlacher Fugler 17-20-1 2-5-2 52 4/30 @ Air Force (11 Inn) L 7-8 A 30-13-1 15-5 Su’a DePierre 7-9-1 8-13-0 — 4/30 @ Air Force W 17-9 A 31-13-1 16-5 Torgerson Yamamoto 17-18-1 9-13-1 86 5/2 @ Utah Valley St. W 10-6 A 32-13-1 16-5 Su’a Mickolio 10-12-1 6-10-1 1763

BYU’s Longest Extra Innings 2004 @ Utah (17 inn) W 5-4 2005 @ N.Mexico (11 inn) W 4-3 1983 @ Utah (15 inn) W 12-9 2004 San Diego St. (11 inn) W 7-6 2002 @ UC-Irvine (14 inn) W 10-7 2004 UNLV (11 inn) L 9-12 1993 Washington# (14 inn) W 7-6 2000 @ San Diego St. (11 inn) W 7-6 1994 @ Utah (13 inn) L 3-4 1984 No. Colorado (11 inn) W 10-9 1984 San Diego St.% (13 inn) W 5-3 # Coyote Classic, San Bernardino, Calif. 2005 @ Air Force (11 inn) L 7-8 % Riverside Baseball Invit., Calif.

2005 Team Highlights

• Apana Nakayama’s first at bat in the season opener was a RBI triple with no outs in the second inning in the upset at No. 19 UC Irvine. He scored the game-winning run later that inning. • Dave Horlacher started the 5-1 upset at No. 19 UC Irvine, going five innings as the winning pitcher, giving up four hits, one walk and striking out five in throwing 81 pitches. • Relief pitcher James Platt retired the first 11 batters he faced in his BYU debut in the upset at No. 19 UC Irvine. The only Anteater runner to get on base was with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. Platt finished off the Anteaters striking out the last batter he faced for the save. He threw 47 pitches, 29 of which were strikes to earn MWC Pitcher of the Week honors. • Patrick Wells earned his first victory of the season for the Cougars in a 13-5 defeat of San Jose State. He pitched six strong innings, giving up only four hits and three runs (two earned). The lefty also struck out five in the victory. He retired the side in order in the third and fifth innings. He struck out the first two batters he faced in the fourth, then pitched himself out of a bases- loaded jam that inning. • Nakayama went 4-for-5 in a 13-5 victory at San Jose State, with a towering, three-run that went 410-feet off a sign in center field and two doubles. • Ryan Chambers made his first relief appearances of 2005 in the first and third games at San Jose State and again sports a 0.00 ERA. Out of the seven outs the Cougars have recorded while he has been on the mound in his career, he has struck out six of them, dating back to last season. The centerfielder had a 0.00 ERA in his only appearance of last season. • Casey Nelson’s two-run double gave BYU its first lead of an 8-7 victory at No. 25 Oklahoma St., with two out in the sixth. The Cougars batted around that inning, with Nelson leading off with a single. • Ben Saylor doubled up an Oklahoma St. runner, who left first base early without a tag in the eighth inning of the 8-7 victory at No. 25 OSU. • Horlacher went the distance, throwing over 120 pitches in a 6-5 loss at No. 30 Oral Roberts. • Blake Torgerson, made his second division one start--and second start of the week--pitching seven strong innings in a 7-4 win over No. 30 Oral Roberts, helping BYU earn its first series win of the season. • Brandon Taylor, had consecutive two RBI games vs. No. 30 Oral Roberts. On March 4, Taylor went 4-for-5 with two RBI, including a two-run double in the seventh inning to give the Cougars the lead for good. The very next day, he homered and knocked in two more runs. • Sean McNauhton, hitting three doubles in an 11-7 victory at New Mexico State, a game in which BYU hit seven doubles. • Taylor, hit a grand slam in BYU’s 10-run sixth inning of a 22-8 victory in the third of a three-game sweep at New Mexico State. Earlier in the week Taylor hit a three-run double in the second inning to put BYU ahead for the first time in a 15-8 victory over his former team, Utah Valley State. • Mitch Woolf’s pitching duel vs. Jeff Williams of Colorado State-Pueblo which had pro scouts most interested in the latter until Woolf’s curve ball caught their eye in the 2-1 BYU victory. The one-hour, 39-minute game time ties BYU’s record for the shortest game when the Cougars lost at Notre Dame, 1-0, in 2002. • Jeff Hiestand catching a line drive with no outs in the ninth inning to turn a L3U double play and help clinch BYU’s 7-5 victory over Colorado State-Pueblo. • Seven doubles being hit by BYU in the ninth inning of a 19-6 victory over New Mexico in game two at Albuquerque, just one two- bagger shy of tying the 1996 NCAA record set by LSU. Chambers and Saylor each collected two doubles in that inning while Nakayama doubled and homered in the ninth. • Chambers homering over 428 feet to tie the final UNM game in Albuquerque, 3-3, just after Josh Barrett struck out the final batter with the bases loaded in the eighth to earn his second victory of the season less than 24 hours after getting his first save. Both players were later named MWC Player and Pitcher of the Week, respectively. • Marcos Villezcas’ diving skid in the 5-3 finale against Utah to start a 6-4-3 double play for the first two outs of the sixth inning. • Taylor hit back-to-back homers in the fourth and fifth innings of an 18-5 victory vs. Air Force, both coming off the first pitch. The previous night he also hit a pair of homers in the 10-4 victory over AFA. Kory Knell’s grand slam in the 25-2 victory over AFA. • Horlacher’s four-hit complete-game 5-0 victory at UNLV was BYU’s first shutout by a single pitcher since February 2003 when Jeff Mousser blanked Washington State, 4-0, in nine innings at Lewiston, Idaho. • Matt Jensen and Justin Su’a striking out 13 and five, vs. against Lewis-Clark State in a come-from-behind effort to win 5-2. • Taylor’s second grand slam of the season in the fourth inning against San Diego State, with BYU down 6-1. He was batting in the eighth hole instead of the usual fourth or fifth hole. Taylor was hit in pre-game batting practice in the outfield by a San Diego State liner which required him to have 25 stitches two layers deep. • Nakayama’s walk-off double to left centerfield on full count with two outs of BYU’s 13-12 victory over San Diego State. • Nine runs being scored in the eighth inning of BYU’s 18-11 victory over San Diego State when the Cougars were down 11-9. • Taylor’s third grand slam of the season in the nine-run second inning of a 10-8 victory at Utah. • Adrian Molina throwing out a Ute at homeplate from centerfield in the eighth inning of a 11-10 loss at Utah. • Taylor’s fourth grand slamcame on his first at bat in a 19-6 victory at Utah. He followed that slam with a single, a double and a triple to complete the cycle and he tied the school record with six hits in that game and consequently was named National Hitter of the Week by the NCBWA, to the CSTV Student Athlete of the Week and College Baseball Foundation National Honor Roll. • Taylor’s second cycle in less than a week, to tie an NCAA record for two cycles in a season, in a 17-2 victory at Air Force. He hit a lead-off homer in the second, a double in the third, an RBI single in the fifth, a two-RBI double in the seventh, and a triple in the ninth.

BYU Baseball TEAM COIN BRINGS UNITY

BY BRENT JOHNSON made to the team and the accomplishment of running up the BYU ATHLETIC MEDIA RELATIONS mountain. The coin has inscribed on one side “The Road to the PROVO, Utah (April 11, 2005)—Baseball, at times, is a Top” and “We Go as a Team.” Law said the team is really game of superstitions. focusing team chemistry this season. Players stick with what’s “It sounds kind of corny,” Law said of using the do-it-for-the working, whether it’s dirty team clichés. “But we rely on each other. We ran up to the ‘Y’ pair of socks or a week together and it was a total team effort, guys didn’t leave each without showering. other behind, we ran together.” So, what’s The various military institutions have similar programs. In behind BYU baseball’s the military each soldier has the opportunity to earn a specially best start in 22 years? minted coin. The coins are issued by a company’s commanding The Cougars are officer and are a very big honor. Each individual coin is minted off to a 23-8-1 (10-2, originally for a given unit. Also, each individual military opera- Mountain West Conference) tion—such as Operation Iraqi Freedom, for example—has its and head coach Vance Law says own coin created for the soldiers that participated. that this is one of the best hitting teams he has ever coached. The soldiers are required to always keep their coin with New pitchers have opposing hitters puzzled. And then there are them. As encouragement, the military has developed an incen- the intangibles like the power of the coin. tive. At any time one soldier can pull his coin on a fellow sol- The coin is one of the many dier. If his counterpart does not have his coin at the time the things BYU pitching coach other pulls it, the counterpart has to buy a drink that night. Bobby Applegate has brought However, if the counterpart can show the coin, he gets the free with him from the Air Force drink. Academy to get the most BYU has developed a similar system. If a player or coach out of his players. Last fall, pulls the coin on his teammate (or coach) and the teammate the BYU baseball players doesn’t have the coin, the teammate must buy a drink for all of took a long run to the white his teammates that have theirs. “Y” on a nearby mountain The coin is just smaller than the size of the handle end of a overlooking BYU campus. All of baseball bat. the participants were given a specially It’s a BYU twist to a military tradition. It is a fun way to minted coin for their efforts. promote team unity. And for the superstitious player or fan, it The coin reminds each player of the commitments they have can only help the Cougars continue to win. 2004 November BYU Baseball Signings Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Hometown (School) Stetson Banks SS 6-1 160 Mesa, AZ (Mountain View HS) Jesse Craig RHP 6-4 225 Henderson, NV (Southern Nevada CC) Chris Highmark LHP 6-1 185 Paradise, AZ (Brophy Prep HS) Jason Johnson 2B 5-9 155 Houston, TX (Houston Christian HS) Seth Johnson OF 6-2 187 Albuquerque, NM (La Cueva HS) Kasey Ko 1B 6-2 225 Honolulu, HI (Punahou HS) Brandon Michon LHP 5-11 145 Hamilton, VA (Loudoun Valley HS) Clayton Mortensen RHP 6-3 175 Rexburg, ID (Treasure Valley CC) Jordan Muir RHP 5-11 190 Las Vegas, NV (Cimarron-Memorial HS) JT Musso C 6-0 185 Pueblo, CO (Pueblo County HS) Dane Nielsen 2B 5-10 180 Houston, TX (Clements HS) Kent Walton OF 6-0 170 Yucaipa, CA (Yucaipa CA) Michael Ward RHP 6-0 160 Dallas, TX (Keller HS) Jacob Wortham OF/LHP 5-10 200 Allen, TX (Allen HS) www.byucougars.com

BYU Baseball TAYLOR FEELING STRONGER EVERY DAY

BY DREW DANIELS Out of Timpanogos High, Taylor chose to stay DESERET MORNING NEWS 4/28/05 close to home and played for UVSC, where he hit .340 with one home run and 34 runs batted in. After randon Taylor has improved dramatical- his mission, he transferred to BYU where he ly as a baseball player each year since his held down the shortstop position, hit .309 and led Bhigh school days at Timpanogos, includ- the team with 14 home runs. This year he's ing the two years he was away serving an LDS mis- switched to third base, is hitting for average sion to Buenos Aires, Argentina. and power and leading the Mountain West in It's a little unusual to return a better player after home runs and RBI. laying off the sport for two years, but Taylor was His 14 home runs ties his personal season lucky that way. Mix that luck in with a lot of hard record, set last year. He's also batting .354, with work and dedication, and you have one of the stars a .701 slugging percentage and 60 RBI to date. on this year's Cougar baseball team. Law described Taylor as an anchor for the Taylor's good luck almost abandoned him team. "Defensively he has been spectacular at third before the April 15 game against San Diego State. base. He's really found his niche. He fits that mold He was hit by a baseball above the eye as the Aztecs even better than he did as a shortstop and I took batting practice in pre-game warmups, with thought he was an outstanding shortstop last year. the ball popping open a large gash that required I think this is really the position that he's best suit- strong or skilled when they return from missions, 25 stitches to close. ed for. He's very athletic there. Good quickness left but "I was very, very blessed to have the opposite He missed the start of the game but returned and right and just an outstanding arm. Way above happen to me," he said. "My arm came back in time to contribute a grand slam and help the average arm." stronger. I can throw a lot harder now. My body Cougars in their 13-12 comeback win over SDSU. If Taylor continues to improve year after year matured. If I hadn't gone on a mission, I don't know He did look different, besides the stitches, as he the way he has since his playing days at Tim- how baseball would be going for me right now." was forced to wear a jersey with the number 18 panogos, expect to see him playing at the next level Taylor's coach, Vance Law, admits that matu- rather than his blood-soaked, but familiar number before too long provided he can stay clear of rity played a part, but pins most of the credit on 3. freak accidents that threaten his playing time. Taylor's work ethic. And after a strong outing against Utah last week, "He's a very hard worker, has a tremendous Taylor was named the National Collegiate Base- desire to learn and he wants to go on to play pro- ball Writers Association's national player of the fessional baseball," said Law. "That's a big motivating week, with a 1.118 slugger percentage for the factor for him." week, scoring a dozen runs and upping his batting Law also believes that confidence and self-belief average by some 20 points. factor in. In the series finale against Utah, Taylor real- "His overall self confidence is something that ly shined, hitting for the cycle, with his home run has really improved where he feels like he is real- a grand slam, his fourth slam of the season and his ly a good player now," said Law. "That really has third in eight days. He finished the 19-6 Cougar vic- a big effect on anybody when you believe that you tory going 6-of-6 with a walk, six RBI and tying the can play at whatever level you happen to be in." school record with six hits. Taylor's success has helped propel the Cougars His 14 home runs leads the team and ties his to their best start since 1983. BYU is now 28-11- personal season record, set last year. He's also bat- 1 with a 14-4 Mountain West Conference record. ting .354, with a .701 slugging percentage and a That's good enough for first place in the confer- Cougar-tops 60 RBI to date. ence by one game over UNLV. Taylor admitted that players normally aren't as

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BYU Baseball MCNAUGHTON: SUPER FRESHMAN STEPPING UP

BY JASON FRANCHUK outs but still doesn’t exactly look to draw a Puckett. The BYU standout isn’t so doughy, PROVO DAILY HERALD free pass, either. but he does carry a lot of power in his com- He has nine walks compared to 23 strike- pact frame and swing. hen Sean McNaughton finally decid- outs. He’s also put down only three sacrifice Michael Davis, McNaughton’s coach at ed once and for all to take his base- bunts. Curtis High School, isn’t surprised to hear his Wball glove and bat from the north- Small ball wasn’t the way in high school, former player is at second base and batting west to BYU, he knew what to expect. His four either. BYU doesn’t seem to mind. Between leadoff, even though he did neither in high siblings went to school here. His brother, the aluminum bats and the altitude, scoring school. Troy, was a standout on the team seven years is a never-ending necessity. McNaughton fits “He’s a very good athlete, and I’ve never ago, when McNaughton was starting to play right in, hacking away. seen a player like him who was so comfort- without a tee for a pitcher. “When I was in high school, I hit third (in able with his swing,” Davis said. “A lot of kids Provo was like a home away from his the lineup),” McNaughton said. “Like any are constantly making adjustments, tinkering Washington home. other team, we only had so many good hitters. with their swing. Sean’s always felt com- And now that he’s here, amazingly, the So when you went up, you didn’t want to strike fortable with his, but if he needed to make freshman is succeeding by doing everything out but you didn’t want to walk, either. If you adjustments he has a rare ability to make it that is unfamiliar. He hit third throughout high just walked, you weren’t taking advantage of within the same at-bat.” school, now he’s batting leadoff. He’s never the situation.” Vance Law, McNaughton’s coach at BYU, played second base before, but there he is, The situation in Provo is perfect. said recruiting him wasn’t the toughest chore learning but still starting. McNaughton has a huge comfort level here, around. Considering background and fami- “I just wanted to come here, and I knew and it’s not just in the batter’s box. ly history, it was a pretty sure thing he want- if I worked hard everything would work His brother, Troy, played at BYU from ed to be there. out,” McNaughton said. 1994-95 before serving and LDS mission to Eng- “It’s nice when it works out that way,” Law He makes it sound, and look, so easy. land then returning for the 1998 season. said. Starting all 33 games of a 24-8-1 start for Afterward he played five seasons of minor- The only condition to McNaughton’s sign- BYU, its best in years, McNaughton has been league ball. Now 30, married with four chil- ing was that he wanted a shot — he stresses part of a new group of freshmen, returned mis- dren, Troy still comes to Provo, like their not a guarantee, but a chance — at playing as sionaries and transfers who have revived parents and other relatives, to see Sean play. a freshman. The outfield was set with veter- the program. McNaughton picked BYU over Washing- ans, and playing shortstop wasn’t the best McNaughton is hitting .361 — second- ton State, a 370-mile drive from home, because option. With second base open, there was com- best for everyday players, behind Jeff Hies- he knew more friends and family would see petition with two players, including Law’s son, tand’s .396. him in Utah than would go to Pullman from Andrew. He’s ranked first in hits (52), doubles (13) the Seattle area. There is work to be done by McNaughton and triples (4). But that’s not all McNaughton His married sister, Jessica, has a house in with the glove. He has a team-worst 12 errors. does. He’s second on the team in runs scored Provo where McNaughton can hang out and Otherwise he has stepped right in, and is (35), home runs (10) and RBI (36). get a home-cooked meal and laundry done. trying to enjoy this year before heading on a “The speed is different, it’s faster at this She comes to the games, sometimes bringing two-year LDS church mission after the sea- level,” McNaughton said. “But otherwise it’s her girlfriends. son. Troy had his best year after returning from not that different.” Turns out girls do dig the long ball, and the his mission, so the younger brother feels Obviously, it’s early. Pitchers haven’t had line drive. like he can make the sabbatical from sport much time to figure out the former Washington “I’ve gotten a few dates because of the base- work, too. Gatorade player of the year. This early in ball success,” McNaughton said, laughing. “I Davis said McNaughton had interest from the season, he hasn’t even seen a starting pitch- think we’re getting more attention as a team several pro teams entering last June’s major er twice yet. We’re not yet at the second go- this year. People don’t remember last year’s league draft, but might’ve scared off some around against MWC opponents. But those team, they don’t even think about it. Not teams by signing with a college and plan- teams and pitchers he has seen have suf- even the guys that were on it. This is a new ning on a mission. fered. Thanks for asking; he isn’t just domi- team, and we know we can play.” The changes have done him good. nating inferior talent. Basically, he can focus on baseball and “He’s comfortable there, and he’s confident,” BYU has played six times against nation- school. The rest of life looks like a fastball. Troy McNaughton said. “He couldn’t ask for ally ranked opponents. McNaughton is 10-for- Sean has succeeded, Troy said, because much more.” 23 in those games. A big part of that success as a high school player McNaughton rarely saw could be a potential reason for his down- good pitches his final two seasons. Rarely wit- fall. nessing a fastball, he had to get good at sniff- At the plate, anyway, McNaughton can ing out off-speed deliveries. His patience show patience waiting for his pitch. But he and timing have benefited. is still the same hitter he was in high school, “He’s much better than I was at his age,” patterned in the belief that the first good Troy said. “In high school he had a lot of pitch is worthy enough to be called the last pro teams interested, but they always came good one. back and talked about his size.” If it’s thrown in his zone, he will swing. His McNaughton, at 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, approach is part Tony Gwynn, part summer- reminds former BYU coach Gary Pullins, a reg- league softball. He doesn’t have many strike- ular radio analyst at home BYU games, of Kirby www.byucougars.com

BYU Baseball APANA NAKAYAMA PICKS UP WHERE HE LEFT OFF

BY DENNIS ANDERSON During his mission, “I played catch HAWAI`I GROWN REPORT once or twice in two years,” Nakayama - FEB. 23, 2005 said. “That was a shock for me. I grew up Welcome back, Apana Nakayama. playing baseball, but I got used to it. The instantly likeable 2000 state high “When I got home (to Kaunakakai) school Player of the Year from popular last August I was totally out of shape,” he HHSAA champion Moloka’i High, has said. returned to Utah after a two-year Nakayama was in Japan, headquar- Mormon Church mission to Japan. tered in Nagoya, from December 2002 to In his first intercollegiate baseball August `04. game in almost three years — in his first “It was a good experience to be able time at bat — Nakayama lashed a line- to serve in Japan,” he said. “I learned a drive triple to right-center field for his lot of things (including speaking fluent first hit, first extra-base hit and first RBI Japanese).” since May 2002. Apana Nakayama And he didn’t forget how to hit a 1-2 Shortly after he scored what proved to hanging curve ball. be the winning run in BYU’s season-open- For the first two games of his return to “It feels good to play ball again,” ing, 5-1 victory at 19th-ranked UC-Irvine the game, Nakayama is batting .500 (5 Nakayama said. last Thursday. for 10). A third scheduled game was a Freshman pitcher Alec Reichle of “It was a good feeling off the bat,” victim of the recent rains in California. Kaua’i also is on the Cougars’ roster, but Nakayama said of the ball that he hit. “I He is playing left-handed designated his throwing arm is injured and he is not kind of knew it was a ball where I could hitter and first base this season, behind a on the traveling squad. Reichle could face get to third; to the gap in right-center.” senior catcher. Tommy John surgery.

BYU Ahead of School Record in Pace for Doubles

YEAR/DATE 2B IN # OF GAMES AVG. # 2B 1982 128 in 59 games 2.17 2005 121 in 43 games 2.81 1988 129 in 60 games 2.15 1998 147 in 53 games 2.77 2001 127 in 60 games 2.12 1987 174 in 64 games 2.72 1992 121 in 57 games 2.12 1999 145 in 57 games 2.54 1978 104 in 52 games 2.00 1994 145 in 57 games 2.54 1995 122 in 62 games 1.97 2000 146 in 58 games 2.52 1990 135 in 69 games 1.96 2003 136 in 54 games 2.52 1989 130 in 67 games 1.94 1997 138 in 55 games 2.51 1981 132 in 69 games 1.91 1985 183 in 73 games 2.51 2004 110 in 58 games 1.90 2002 151 in 63 games 2.40 1980 110 in 59 games 1.86 1996 136 in 57 games 2.39 1977 94 in 52 games 1.81 1983 154 in 65 games 2.37 1984 106 in 59 games 1.80 1993 132 in 57 games 2.32 1991 83 in 50 games 1.66 1986 122 in 54 games 2.26 NCAA Record 202, Wichita St. in 1998 3.21 1979 166 in 76 games 2.18 School Record

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