Cougars cruise past Toreros 8-0

PROVO, Utah — Sophomore McKenna Bull pitched a dominating performance for BYU softball against San Diego Friday night in Provo, giving up only one hit in the first game of a rain-shortened doubleheader. 

The Cougars (32-9, 7-0 West Coast Conference) took the first game 8-0 in five innings over the Toreros (28-19, 7-3 WCC) while the nightcap was in the middle of the third frame when it was suspended until Saturday at 11 a.m. MDT.

"We played really good softball tonight in all areas,” BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "We pitched, played defense and hit the ball really well. Ashley Thompson really stepped up, but I thought it was a collective team effort in that first game."

Sophomores Thompson, Sydney Broderick and McKenzie St. Clair each drove in two runs while fellow sophomore Lauren Bell recorded two hits to lead the BYU from the plate. 

Game One

The game began with a scoreless first inning in which BYU left three runners on base in the bottom half of the frame.

Bull then struck out two of three Toreros as the Cougars retired the side in the top of the second. San Diego responded with a quick 1-2-3 inning in the field.

In the top of the third, the Toreros' Tatum Schultz singled up the middle to reach base. Bull walked the next two batters to load the bases for the visitors, but much like in the first, San Diego failed to score any runs. 

Gordy Bravo singled to right center to get on base for the Cougars in the bottom of the third. That was followed with a single by Bell to get two on base. A fielder's choice from Thompson scored Bravo, and a double from Broderick scored two more to bring the advantage to three, 3-0.

Freshman Alexa Strid collected her first double of the season which was quickly followed by a Lacey Hofstedt single up the middle in the fourth. Bravo ensued driving in a run with a fielder's choice, and Bell then singled up the middle to collect an RBI for the 5-0 score with runners on the corners. After a Torero pitcher change, Thompson doubled to center field, scoring another run. With the bases loaded St. Clair hit the gap in right center for a two-run single to increase the advantage to 8-0 at the end of the inning.

Three quick outs in the top of the fifth ended the game 8-0 before the weather turned for a downpour.

Box Score--BYU vs. San Diego (game one)

Game Two

Due to rain, the second game was postponed in the middle of the third and will be resumed Saturday at 11 a.m. MDT. The teams will play the third game of the series at 1 p.m. broadcast on BYUtv.