BYU shuts out San Diego 5-0 in game one of the series

SAN DIEGO — BYU softball shut out the University of San Diego 5-0 in game one of the series on Friday evening at the USD Softball Complex, advancing to 27-10 on the season with a 2-2 record in the West Coast Conference.

"Our team fought hard tonight in a hostile environment," said BYU head coach Gordon Eakin. "As coaches, we are very proud of the determination they showed. Also, Autumn was incredible tonight in the circle."

Game Highlights

• The Cougars scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning.
• San Diego had two errors and BYU scored a run off of both of them.

BYU scored first, but not until the top of the third inning. Taylei Williams singled and stole second when Violet Zavodnik was at bat. Then, Zavodnik followed through with a double, allowing Williams to reach home plate for a 1-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth inning, BYU scored one more run. First, Macy Simmons reached base on a dropped fly ball by San Diego’s right fielder and advanced to second. HannahJo Peterson was walked then Martha Epenesa grounded out for a double play, but Simmons’ pinch runner Alexis Gilio was still able to make it home for a score of 2-0 for the Cougars. BYU eventually stranded two runners on base. 

The Cougars scored three more times in the top of the sixth inning.

Simmons was walked, and then Mallory Barber singled and advanced to second on a fielding error. Simmons made it home off the error for BYU’s third run of the night.

Peterson hit an RBI double down the line of right field for BYU to take a 4-0 lead. When Williams was up to bat next, she bunted the ball in an attempt to sacrifice, but a fielder’s choice by San Diego enabled her to reach base and Peterson was signaled safe at home.

Down five runs in the bottom of the seventh, the Toreros weren’t able to get a single player on base and the Cougars won 5-0.

BYU’s pitcher Autumn Moffat-Korth limited San Diego to only four hits on the night, and struck out six batters.

Tomorrow the Cougars will face San Diego in a doubleheader to close out the series. The games will be at 11 a.m. PDT and 1:30 p.m. PDT.