In a dazzling display of offensive firepower, the Brigham Young University Cougars opened the 2026 Big 12 Tournament with an 18-8 victory over Texas Tech in Surprise, Arizona, turning the desert night into a celebration of baseball.
The Cougars turned the diamond into a batting laboratory, posting a .526 team average on 20 hits while launching five home runs, a performance that matched the tournament’s single-game record for homers.
Jones’ Walk-Off Finale
Easton Jones capped the night with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the seventh, sending the crowd into a frenzy and sealing an 18-8 final margin that underscored the team’s relentless momentum.
Ridge Erickson and Keoni Painter each added two homers, while Ryder Robinson drove in three runs, highlighting the depth of the Cougars’ lineup and the pivotal contributions of multiple stars.
Relief pitcher Austin Park shut down Texas Tech’s late rally, striking out three batters in the seventh inning and preserving the win with a clutch performance on the mound.
The victory improves BYU to 2-1 in tournament play and sets an optimistic tone as they prepare for their next opponent, while Texas Tech will look to rebound after stranding seven runners and falling short in a high-scoring affair.