Late Game Heroics Give BYU Win in Debut

SAN JOSE -- Playing in its first game as an NCAA Divison I team, the BYU softball team pulled out a thrilling 3-2 win over Sacramento State in the first day of the San Jose State Early Bird Invitational Friday.

The Hornets (0-1) struck first, scoring in the second inning off an error by Cougar second baseman Jackie Ellis. BYU (1-0) answered back in the fourth inning, when Elis redeemed herself with an RBI single to left to score left fielder Liz Smith. Sacramento State scored again in the fifth to lead 2-1 going into the final inning of play, but with two outs in BYU's final at-bat, first baseman Mindy Hanson ripped a single down the left field line to score teammates Lindsay Hodgen and Jessica Johnson and give BYU a 3-2 edge. Pitcher Meghann Pricer held the Hornets scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to preserve BYU's first victory.

Ricks College transfer Maryon Dewitt got the start for the Cougars, going five innings. Dewitt struck out five while walking three and allowing five hits. Pricer, an Arizona transfer, came in for the final two innings of work to strike out two and allow one hit.

The Cougars were slated to play host San Jose State in game two of the day's doubleheader, but due to darkness, the game was called in the fourth inning with BYU leading 4-3. The game will resume Saturday at 9 a.m. From there, the Cougars will face 12th ranked California before playing San Jose State again in the afternoon.