PROVO, Utah – BYU softball fell to Utah State 4-2 after a grand slam from Aggie Allanah Alvarado Wednesday night at Gail Miller Field.

“Delaney Hull pitched a good game for Utah State,” BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. “She had us off balance all day and hit her spots. That being said, I’m glad finals are over so we can get back to practice and get ready to play this weekend.”

The Cougars (25-20, 5-1 West Coast Conference) outhit the Aggies (17-27, 6-12 Mountain West Conference) seven to six in the loss. Rylee Jensen led the team with two hits, going 2 for 4 from the plate with one run. Briielle Breland, Libby Sugg, Caitlyn Alldredge and Brooke Vander Heide all had one hit apiece.

Autumn Moffat, Kerisa Viramontes and Arianna Paulson shared pitching duties. Moffat tied her career-high five strikeouts in three innings. Viramontes allowed just one hit in three innings and Paulson pitched the final frame.

BYU started the game strong with Moffat striking out the side in the top of the first.

The Cougar bats rode that momentum as Jensen singled up the middle on the very first pitch. Breland followed with a double to right field, advancing Jensen to third. A single from Sugg drove in both Jensen and Breland for a 2-0 lead.

In the third frame, Utah State loaded the bases with Riley Plogger reaching on a BYU fielding error, Brina Buttacavoli’s single to right field and Baile Trapp getting hit by a pitch. Designated player Alvarado then hit a grand slam to center field, scoring Plogger, Buttacavoli and Trapp to put the Aggies up 4-2.

Pinch hitter Brooke Vander Heide led off in the bottom of the seventh and singled to third. Madison Merrell grounded out to the pitcher, moving Vander Heide up and putting the Cougars in scoring position. Jensen grounded out the third baseman. With a full count, Breland popped out to second to end the game.  

BYU vs. Utah State Box Score

The Cougars are slated to host a three-game series this weekend against conference foe Saint Mary’s, beginning with a doubleheader Friday at 5:00 p.m. MDT. The game will be broadcast live on BYUtv with live stats available on the BYU softball schedule page.

PROVO, Utah – Following a 5-2 win at Utah in the Deseret First Duel last week, BYU softball begins a four-game homestand with Utah State on Wednesday and a three-game series against conference foe Saint Mary’s.

BYU Game Notes

The Cougars (25-19, 5-1 West Coast Conference) face the Aggies (16-27, 6-12 Mountain West) for the second time this season Wednesday at 6 p.m. MDT. BYU plays Saint Mary’s (13-27, 1-5 WCC) in a doubleheader Friday at 5 and 7 p.m. MDT. The three-game series against the Gaels concludes Saturday at 1 p.m. MDT.

Wednesday’s game and Friday’s doubleheader will be televised live on BYUtv. Saturday’s game can be streamed on TheW.tv. Links to live stats for all games will be available on the BYU softball schedule page.

BYU will host a ROC Party on Wednesday, which will include a barbecue, free t-shirts and one 40-inch LED HD TV giveaway for ROC students. A ROC pass must be shown to claim prizes. A wiffle ball game will also take place on the field after the softball game.

Following Saturday’s game, BYU coaches and players will put on a free clinic for youth softball teams ages 7-13 or grades 2-8. Youth players may receive free admission to the game if wearing team jerseys or coaches can sign up by emailing Brittany at brittany.s.smart@gmail.com with their name and team name. 

BYU STORYLINES:

• BYU beat Utah State 5-4 in Logan earlier this season behind Briielle Breland’s perfect 4 for 4 day at the plate. She had one home run, one double and two singles. The Cougars have only lost twice to the Aggies since 2000, once both home and away.
• Currently in second behind LMU in the WCC standings, BYU continues conference play against Saint Mary’s this weekend. Besides the Gaels, the Cougars have yet to play San Diego (25-21, 4-5 WCC) and LMU (26-20, 8-1 WCC) before wrapping up the season.
• BYU ranks No. 21 nationally and No. 1 in the WCC in home runs per game with 1.05. Twelve Cougars have hit 46 homers in 44 games so far this season, led by Libby Sugg’s 10. Rylee Jensen, Briielle Breland and Caitlyn Alldredge follow with six while Lexi Tarrow has hit four. Alexa Strid, Madison Merrell and Bridget Fleener have all hit three apiece. Allie Hancock has hit two and Ashley Godfrey, Emilee Erickson and Olivia Sanchez have also hit dingers.

OPPONENTS OUTLOOK:
Utah State Aggies (16-27, 6-12 MWC)

• The Aggies are 16-27 this season and 6-12 in Mountain West play. They went 2-1 at New Mexico last week.
• BYU leads the overall series 38-2, winning 5-4 in Logan earlier this month. The teams have played every year since the Cougars’ first season in 2000, except for 2009.
• Steve Johnson is in his fifth year as head coach at Utah State and has compiled a record of 96-116 in four seasons.

Saint Mary’s Gaels (13-27, 1-5 WCC)

• The Gaels are 13-27 in 2018 and 1-5 in conference play. They beat San Diego 6-4 earlier this month.
• The Cougars carry a 19-1 edge in the overall series and most recently lost 1-0 at SMC last year.  
• Jessica Rodgers is in her 13th season at the helm of the Saint Mary’s program. She is the all-time winningest Gael softball coach with 263 wins in 12 years.