BYU hosts USU before opening WCC play

PROVO, Utah – BYU softball will host Utah State Wednesday at 4 p.m. MDT at Gail Miller Field before beginning conference play at San Diego on Friday at 5 p.m. PDT.

BYU (13-19, 0-0 WCC)
BYU made program history coming back from a 10-0 deficit in the first game Saturday against Idaho State. The Cougars scored 11 unanswered runs, led by Sydney Broderick and McKenzie St. Clair, to defeat the Bengals. On Tuesday, they also defeated their second top-five program (No. 3 Oregon) of the year after only winning two top-five matchups prior to this season.

The Cougars had five home runs against Idaho State to give them 25 on the year. Broderick hit the first two home runs of her career, while Katie Manuma added two and Carly Duckworth had one.

McKenna Bull and Broderick swept the West Coast Conference weekly awards for their strong performances. Bull also was named WCC Player of the Week by College Sports Madness and was among the top performers recognized by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association.

Utah State (13-17, 3-3 MWC)
After opening Mountain West play with a home sweep of Colorado State to cap off an eight-game winning streak, Utah State lost four consecutive contests on the road to SUU Tuesday and Fresno State over the weekend.

Freshman Victoria Saucedo leads the Aggies from the plate in almost every offensive category with a .344 batting average, five doubles, four home runs, 18 runs and 16 RBIs. Junior Hailey Froton has four home runs and 16 RBIs of her own, while Paxton Provost has three home runs and 16 RBIs.

Sophomore Noelle Johnson is the ace in the circle for Utah State with a 12-10 record, a 2.57 ERA and 149 strikeouts. She has made appearances in 26 of Utah State’s 30 games this season.

San Diego (15-16, 0-0 WCC)
BYU and San Diego will open up the inaugural softball season in the WCC on Friday at the USD Softball Complex. San Diego will be well rested after only playing one game against Cal State Northridge on Wednesday last week, losing 4-2 in a close contest.

Freshman Olivia Sandusky leads the Toreros with a .386 batting average and 17 RBIs. Sophomore Mary Grabowski bats .302 and leads the team with 19 RBIs and four home runs.

Seniors Cassidy Coleman and Jenny Lahitte split time in the circle for San Diego. Lahitte has a 7-7 record with a 2.78 ERA and 98 strikeouts. Coleman has gone 6-8 with a 2.98 ERA and 114 strikeouts. As a team, they lead the WCC with a 2.88 ERA and 224 strikeouts.