Defensive battle sees BYU fall to No. 5 Stanford, 1-0

PROVO, Utah — BYU softball held No. 5 Stanford to just five hits and one run on Monday afternoon at Gail Miller Field but ultimately lost 1-0 in a defensive showcase.

BOX SCORE

The Cougars (22-13, 4-2 WCC) had three hits in the game, with Ailana Agbayani registering two. Stanford starting pitcher NiJaree Canady had previously only given up 14 hits in 51.1 innings pitched this season. She leads the NCAA in hits allowed per game and ERA.

Player Highlights

• Kaysen Korth: 7 IP, 5 K, 5 H, 1 R
• Ailana Agbayani: 2-3, 1 SB

Stanford scored the lone run of the game in the top of the third with back-to-back singles that brought home a runner who reached first after being hit by a pitch.

Agbayani reached scoring position for the second time in the game in the bottom of the third inning. She hit a single to left field both times before advancing to second on a wild pitch and stolen base, respectively. Agbayani was ultimately left on base for the Cougars after one of Canady’s six strikeouts in 4 1/3 innings pitched.

BYU’s defense continued to limit the Cardinal offense throughout the game, including two charging fly outs caught by center fielder Violet Zavodnik in the fourth. The score later stayed at 1-0 in the seventh despite a leadoff single from Stanford. A fly out followed by catcher Hailey Morrow catching a Cardinal runner attempting to steal second and Korth throwing her fifth strikeout of the game ended the inning.

Martha Epenesa reached first to lead off the bottom of the seventh after being hit by a pitch. BYU was unable to capitalize, however, as Stanford got two strikeouts and a groundout to end the game. Pinch runner Lauren Flanders became the Cougars’ fifth and final runner left on base.

BYU will be back in action on Wednesday, April 19 with a 6 p.m. MDT matchup at Utah Valley, the two teams' second and final meeting this season. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.