As the University of Cincinnati Bearcats gear up for Big 12 Conference play this weekend, all eyes are on their three-game series against BYU in Provo. The action kicks off Thursday and Friday at 5:00 p.m.
ET, with the series finale set for Saturday at 3:00 p.m. ET, all streaming live on ESPN+.
This matchup marks the third consecutive year these two teams have faced off as Big 12 rivals. Cincinnati swept the series in Provo back in 2024, but BYU bounced back last season, taking two out of three at Cincinnati’s home turf.
The Bearcats are on a tear, riding a seven-game winning streak and boasting 11 victories in their last 12 outings. With a stellar 14-4 record, this is their best start since the 2000 season. Over their recent 12-game stretch, Cincinnati is hitting a robust .320 and averaging 8.4 runs per game, while their pitching staff has held opponents to a 2.91 ERA.
Cincinnati's offense is firing on all cylinders, with a team batting average of .308 and a 3.57 ERA, both ranking in the top four of the Big 12. Alongside West Virginia, they’re one of the only teams excelling in both categories.
Their latest triumph was a thrilling 13-11 comeback win against Evansville. Down 11-4 entering the bottom of the seventh, the Bearcats rallied with three runs in the seventh and six in the eighth. Enzo Infelise was the hero, smashing two homers, including a decisive three-run blast in the eighth.
Quinton Coats stole the spotlight last week, earning Big 12 Player of the Week honors and the NCBWA Dick Howser Trophy National Co-Hitter of the Week. The Olathe, Kansas native was unstoppable, belting seven home runs and driving in 17 runs over five games.
Jackson Smith has been a catalyst at the top of the lineup. The sophomore leads off in 14 of 18 games and is 12th nationally in on-base percentage at .588. Smith has a knack for getting on base, with 14 hit-by-pitches, tying him for the national lead.
Switching gears to BYU, they enter the series with a 7-8 record. The Cougars have faced common opponents Western Kentucky and UC San Diego, splitting four games with WKU and edging UCSD 9-8.
BYU’s team batting average sits at .291, while their 5.88 ERA places them lower in the conference standings. Ezra McNaughton has been their standout performer, leading the team in several offensive categories.
After their showdown with BYU, Cincinnati will remain in Utah to take on Utah Valley next Monday and Tuesday. These games provide another opportunity for the Bearcats to extend their impressive start to the season.