MWC: Jensen Saves BYU Win

By Jason Owens - May 24, 2007

With the tying run at the plate and no outs, BYU reliever Matt Jensen came up big to secure a 5-3 win for BYU over New Mexico and a pass into Friday's winners' bracket. After walking Adam Coucha, Jensen induced a fly-out from Jay Russell. He went on to strike out Max Willett and pinch hitter Derek Pilkington to end the game.

The win validates a risky decision from BYU coach Vance Law, who decided to start Jake Wortham over ace Jesse Craig, the best pitcher in the conference. The decision is a clear move to save Craig for a potential matchup with top-seeded TCU, who would face the Cougars with a win over No. 6 seed UNLV in the afternoon game. Craig pitched a shutout against the powerful Horned Frogs earlier in the season and gives BYU a good chance of stealing a win from heavily-favored TCU.

BYU needs to win the tournament this week to advance to NCAA play, as TCU is the only MWC team likely to earn an at-large bid. But I'm getting way ahead of myself. The Horned Frogs have to get past the home-standing Rebels first.