PROVO, Utah – Behind a shutout performance from freshman pitcher Arissa Paulson, No. 19/21 BYU softball defeated Southern Utah 4-0 on Wednesday at Gail Miller Field.

"Arissa Paulson threw a tremendous game and our defense was great behind her," BYU head coach Gordan Eakin said. "We had to grind it out tonight. It was a tough and gutsy win."

With the victory, BYU (32-10, 6-0 West Coast Conference) pushes the win streak to 11 games, the longest win streak of the season. Paulson went the distance, pitching seven innings and shutting out the Thunderbirds (11-23, 7-5 Big Sky) and throwing six hitless innings. The Cougar offense was powered by a three-run home run from junior Madison Merrell while sophomore outfielder Lexi Tarrow collected two singles and scored a run. Senior Lauren Bell drew three walks in the win.

BYU vs. SUU Box Score

After two scoreless innings, BYU jumped ahead to take an early lead. In the bottom of the third, Tarrow singled to get things started for the Cougars. Bell drew a walk and sophomore Libby Sugg was hit by a pitch to load the bases with two outs. A wild pitch from SUU’s Samantha Guile allowed Tarrow to score and the Cougars led 1-0 at the end of three innings.

In the bottom of the fourth, junior Briielle Breland was hit by a pitch and advanced to second after a single from Brooke Vander Heide, but the Cougars failed to bring either runner home.

In the fifth, Bell drew her third walk of the evening to give the Cougars their first baserunner of the inning. Caitlyn Larsen Alldredge laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Bell to second, putting her in scoring position with one out. Sugg and Thompson both flied out, stranding Bell on second. BYU still held the 1-0 lead at the end of the frame.

Alexa Strid's hit led off with a single for BYU in the bottom of the sixth and advanced to second after a bunt from McKenzie St. Clair. Breland drew a walk and the runners advanced to second and third after a wild pitch. Merrell stepped in to pinch hit and knocked a deep ball over the center field wall for a three-run homer.

SUU recorded its first hit in the top of the seventh, but Paulson retired the next two batters and BYU held on to win 4-0. 

The Cougars remain at home to host UVU next Wednesday, April 26 at 6 p.m. MDT.

PROVO, Utah – In the second and final game of the season series, No. 19/21 BYU softball hosts Southern Utah on Wednesday at Gail Miller Field at 6 p.m. MDT.

BYU Game Notes

The Cougars (31-10, 6-0 West Coast Conference) are riding a 10-game winning streak, picking up four wins last week. One of those victories came at Southern Utah (11-22, 7-5 Big Sky) in a 13-3 run-rule win.

The game will be televised live on BYUtv at 6 p.m. MDT. Radio options will also be available on BYU Radio, as well as live stats on the BYU softball schedule page.

BYU Storylines

• This Wednesday is BYU’s fourth in-state game of the 2017 season, the second against Southern Utah. The Cougars are 3-0 so far this year, defeating Utah, Utah State and SUU. After the game against the Thunderbirds this week, BYU has a few more in-state games, first against Utah Valley and then one more against Utah State.
• In the four wins last week, BYU blasted eight home runs, including four at Southern Utah, which was the most in a game since 2015. Just this year, Caitlyn Larsen Alldredge, Libby Sugg and Ashley Thompson have all had two-home run games apiece.
• The Cougars are ranked for the eighth week of the season, extending the streak for the most a BYU softball team has been ranked in a single season. They dropped a spot in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll at No. 21, but moved up in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 to No. 19, which is the highest BYU has been ranked in that poll in school history. Additionally, thanks to the tough schedule before conference play, BYU is No. 18 in the NCAA in RPI.
• For the fourth time this year, BYU swept the WCC weekly awards. McKenna Bull and Caitlyn Larsen Alldredge swept WCC Pitcher and Player of the Week, respectively. This is the second sweep for the duo. For Alldredge, this is the second honor of her career. This is Bull’s sixth WCC Pitcher of the Week nod in the season and 17th of her career.

Opponent Outlook

Southern Utah (11-22, 7-5 Big Sky) | Game Notes

• The Thunderbirds have won three of four conference series so far, winning all three two games to one.
• BYU leads SUU in the all-time series 50-7, increasing the lead after winning in Cedar City last week, 13-3 in five innings.