Ezra McNaughton is making his own mark at BYU while extending the family baseball legacy
Sophomore infielder showcasing his hitting firepower while leading the Cougars’ offensive efforts.
BYU's Ezra McNaughton rounds first during the Cougars' game against Utah at Miller Park in Provo on Friday, May 1, 2026. | Olivia Taylor/BYU It’s tough to find a nicer kid than Ezra McNaughton. The BYU slugger is a returned missionary who practices what he preaches.
But when he steps into the left side of the batter’s box, the 5-11, 200-pound workhorse becomes a bully – a kind-hearted, softspoken bully who likes to hit. “I’m not trying to hit a home run,” said the sophomore from Mesa, Arizona. “I just want to put the bat on the ball and move it forward.
” More specifically, McNaughton takes aim at one target. “He tries to hit a line drive off the pitcher every time, no matter what pitch is being thrown,” said BYU pitching coach Brycen Campbell. “In his head, he’s thinking ‘line drive off the pitcher.
” Hitting a line drive is easier said than done. It requires balance and rhythm. “That’s the biggest thing with hitting,” McNaughton said.
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