BYU softball to compete in the Eugene Regional

PROVO, Utah – BYU softball is headed to the Pacific Northwest to face No. 2 overall seed University of Oregon in its first game of NCAA regionals Thursday in Eugene, Oregon.

“We’re optimistic that we can compete in this very strong regional,” BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. “We start out against one of the best teams in the NCAA this year. If we play to our potential, it should be a great game.”

The Cougars (39-12, 13-2 West Coast Conference) clinched the conference title outright, securing an automatic bid for their 11th consecutive trip to the postseason.

The Ducks (46-6, 21-3 Pac-12) will host BYU, Fresno State (40-14, 20-4 Mountain West) and North Dakota State (43-9, 16-2 Summit) in the double-elimination Eugene Regional.

Seniors Lacey Hofstedt and Megan Arnold along with juniors Gordy Bravo and Coco Tauali’i were part of the 2013 Cougar team that last faced Oregon in the Eugene Regional.

In 2014 the Cougars and the then-No. 2/3 Ducks met in Provo, Utah, with BYU coming out with a win over the highest ranked team to ever travel to Gail Miller Field. The Cougars won 6-5 due in part to an inside-the-park grand slam by Hofstedt.

EUGENE REGIONAL SCHEDULE (PDT)

Thursday, May 13
Game 1 – 2:00 p.m. North Dakota St. vs. Fresno St.
Game 2 – 5:00 p.m. Oregon vs. BYU

Friday, May 14
Game 3 – 11:00 a.m. Winner Game 1 vs. Winner Game 2
Game 4 – 2:00 p.m. Loser Game 1 vs. Loser Game 2
Game 5 – 5:00 p.m. Winner Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3

Saturday, May 15
Game 6 – 1:00 p.m. Winner Game 3 vs. Winner Game 5
Game 7 – 4:00 p.m. Winner Game 6 vs. Loser Game 6 (if necessary)