Late BYU comeback falls short in 6-4 loss to No. 24 Utah

PROVO, Utah — BYU softball fell to No. 24 Utah, 6-4 in a late-scoring contest decided by a six-run sixth inning from the Utes at Gail Miller Field on Monday night.

Scoreless through the first two innings, the Cougars (20-10, 3-0 WCC) scored a run in the third and led 1-0 through five frames, but fell behind 6-1 in the sixth. Violet Zavodnik led a seventh inning charge with a three-run homer, but BYU's comeback attempt would ultimately fall short.

BOX SCORE

Player Highlights

• Violet Zavodnik: 1-4, HR, 3 RBI
• Ailana Agbayani: 2-4, 2 R
• Huntyr Ava: 2-4, 1 RBI

In the bottom of the third inning, Ailana Agbayani registered the Cougars’ first hit off a slap swing that fell near the pitcher's circle. A Utah error allowed Maddie Bejarano to reach first as Agbayani sprinted to third. With no outs, Ava dropped a bloop single along the third base line for Agbayani to cross home plate and score the first run of the day for a 1-0 lead.

Utah batted around the order in the top of the sixth, recording six hits and benefitting from one BYU error. The Utes tallied five singled and a double off the wall in right center as they took a 6-1 lead.

After holding Utah scoreless in the top of the seventh, the Cougars placed runners on first and third before outfielder Violet Zavodnik capitalized with a momentum-swinging home run down the right field line, trimming the deficit to 6-4.

Ava followed up the homer with a single to left, but the next two BYU batters, who represented the tying run, were retired on flyouts to close out the Cougars potential comeback. 

BYU will be back in action on Tuesday, April 11 in a cross-town battle against UVU at Gail Miller Field at 6:00 p.m. MDT. The game will be streamed on the BYUtv app.