BYU hosts Santa Clara for final home series this weekend

PROVO, Utah – Looking to bounce back after a loss, BYU softball hosts West Coast Conference opponent Santa Clara for the final home series of the season this weekend.

BYU (30-18, 7-2 WCC) dropped its first game since April 9 in a 6-5 loss at Southern Utah on Tuesday. The Cougars are in first place after winning the last two conference series in sweeps, resulting in back-to-back WCC Player of the Week honors for BYU with Ashley Thompson and Lauren Bell each winning one.

Following the doubleheader on Saturday, BYU will honor its two seniors, Gordy Bravo and Coco Tauali’i Bond. Centerfielder Bravo will play her 200th game on Saturday and has been the leadoff hitter in 43 of 48 games played this year. Bond has started every game but one at third base in 2016.

Fifth-place Santa Clara (8-37, 3-6 WCC) is coming off of a series loss to San Diego at home. The Broncos won the finale 5-3 on Sunday. In the series history between these teams, BYU holds the 13-2 advantage, including a 2-1 mark at Gail Miller Field. Last season, the Cougars swept the Broncos on the road in three shutout wins.

The series between BYU and Santa Clara will begin with a doubleheader on Friday with the first game beginning at 5 p.m. MDT and Saturday's game starting at noon MDT. The three-game series will be live on BYUtv and BYU Radio – Sirius XM 143. Live stats will also be available on the BYU softball schedule page.