Cougars unable to hold off No. 2 Washington

ST. GEORGE, Utah – After tying the game at 1-1, the BYU softball team succumbed to No. 2 Washington late in the game losing 4-1 on Thursday afternoon at the St. George Classic.

"With a 1-1 score late in the game, we had runners in scoring position but we didn't move the ball," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. In the bottom of the sixth, they did. Washington is ranked No. 2 for a reason. Gabbie Plain is one of the best pitchers in the country and their veteran offense came through when it counted."

Game Highlights:

• The two teams battled back and forth through three innings as each team only allowed one run.
• A single from Huntyr Ava brought Rylee Jensen-McFarland home in the top of the fourth to tie the game up 1-1.

Player Highlights:

• Huntyr Ava: 2-3, 1RBI
• Rylee Jensen-McFarland: 1-2, 1R, 1BB
• Autumn Moffat-Korth: 5.1IP, 3R, 2K

After two scoreless innings, Washington plated a run in the bottom of the second. The Cougars quickly answered as Jensen-McFarland pulled a walk and then advanced on a sacrifice bunt from Erin Miklus. Jensen-McFarland made it home two plays later as Ava singled up the middle and BYU tied the score at 1-1.

Moffat-Korth and the BYU defense held off the Huskies until the sixth inning. With Brown pitching for the Cougars, Washington brought three runners home and boosted its score to 4-1. BYU was unable to manage a run in the top of the seventh and the Husky’s took the win 4-1.

BYU will play a doubleheader on Friday, Feb. 19 with Utah State at 11 a.m. followed by Montana at 1:30 p.m. Both games will be played at the Canyons Softball Complex during the second day of the St. George Classic.