Cougar Softball off to compete at the New Mexico State Invite

PROVO -- The BYU women's softball team (7-6) is off to compete in the New Mexico State Invitational in Las Cruces, N.M. on March 12-13.

Four of the five teams BYU will play at the tournament will mark the team's first meeting in softball history. It will be physically challenging for the Cougars because all five games will be played in a two-day span.

The Cougars will face Marist (2-6), St. Peter's (0-0, first tournament of the year), the host New Mexico State (2-22), Drake (9-5) and UTEP (3-11).

"We practiced outside (Monday) for the first time this year," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "I think this break in the weather should have us prepared to compete this weekend, and we're ready."

The New Mexico State Invitational will be providing live stats for all of the tournament games. Go to the BYU softball page (www.byucougars.com/softball/), click on schedule, page down to the game you want to view by clicking on the live stats link available on the schedule page.

The Cougars are coming off the Hyatt Regency Cougar Classic in Houston, Texas where they defeated Houston 2-0 and Pittsburgh 10-2. BYU recorded three close losses to Villanova 4-3, Virginia 3-1 and Mississippi State 2-1 in Houston.

"We're suffering the pain of being a young team by letting a few games get away from us," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "Hopefully we'll continue to grow and mature so we won't lose those kinds of games."

Senior Kate Walker is coming off a great week of play in Houston. She played consistent for the Cougars by hitting 5-12 (.417). Walker also recorded her first two home runs of the season against Villanova and lifted BYU in the 2-0 win over Houston with her left field single. She had three RBI, scored two runs, and 14 putouts in the tournament.

BYU Schedule at the New Mexico State Invitational 
March 12	  Marist		          9 a.m. 
           St. Peter's	         11 a.m.
	  NMSU		          5 p.m.
March 13	  Drake		         9 a.m.
           UTEP	                 11 a.m.
BYU All-Time Records vs. Opponents  
Marist: marks the first match up
St. Peter's: marks the first match up 
New Mexico State: 1-0 
Drake: marks the first match up
UTEP: marks the first match up (their inaugural softball season)