Paulson's pitching leads BYU to 5-0 win over SUU

PROVO, Utah – The BYU softball team held Southern Utah scoreless on Wednesday evening, earning a 5-0 win at Gail Miller Field.

"It was good to get a win today, especially on the last day of finals," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "Final exams can be mentally draining, however we played a solid game defensively, Arissa pitched well and we got timely hitting."

Game Highlights:

• Lexi Tarrow’s single to left field in the second gave BYU its first run of the game.
• A sacrifice fly by Taylei Williams and an RBI by Rylee Jensen extended the Cougars’ lead to 3-0 after five.
• RBIs by Olivia Sanchez and Marissa Chavez scored the final two runs of the game.
• Arissa Paulson retired 13 in a row to finish the game. 

Player Highlights:

• Lexi Tarrow: 2-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI
• Rylee Jensen: 2-3, 1 RBI
• Arissa Paulson: W (10-8), 7.0 IP, 2 BB, 5 K

BYU vs. SUU Box Score

Arissa Paulson struck out five batters and only allowed two hits in a complete game shutout. For the Cougars (21-20, 5-1 WCC), five different batters (Rylee Jensen, Taylei Williams, Olivia Sanchez, Marissa Chavez and Lexi Tarrow) recorded an RBI to give BYU the victory.

The Thunderbirds (5-29, 2-6 Big Sky) recorded the first hits of the game, tallying two through the top of the second inning, but didn't score. Paulson singled to left before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. Tarrow singled to left field for an RBI and the first run of the game.

In the bottom of the fifth and with runners on first and second, the Cougars scored a run on an RBI single by Jensen and a sacrifice fly by Williams to extend BYU’s lead to 3-0.

The Cougars added to their lead as Olivia Sanchez recorded a single to bring Aubrielle Paulson back home. Chavez added a sacrifice fly as BYU held a 5-0 advantage after six innings.

Arissa Paulson retired 13 in a row, starting in the third inning to finish off the game from the circle. 

The Cougars host a doubleheader against West Coast Conference foe San Diego on Friday, Apr. 26, at 5 and 7 p.m. MDT. The games will be played at Gail Miller Field and broadcast on BYUtv.