Final Inning Home Runs Snatch Win

PROVO, Utah - Down one run in the bottom of the seventh and final inning, the BYU softball team hit two clutch home runs to beat Utah State 6-4 and complete a three-game sweep Saturday at Gail Miller Field.

BYU improves its record to 28-12 overall and 7-3 in the Western Athletic Conference.

“I’m glad we were able to get the games in with the weather forecast and fortunately we were able to come away with the three wins,” said BYU coach Gordon Eakin. “We didn’t play perfect ball this weekend, but we battled to the very end and good things happened. I’m proud of our team.”

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Batting first in the bottom of the seventh, senior Delaney Willard went way over the left field fence to tie the game at 4-4 and give BYU its first run since the first inning. Named one of 25 finalists for the 2012 USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Year earlier in the week, Willard's home run was her 14th of the season.

In the Cougars' ensuing at bat, Katie Manuma drew a walk to set up Stacie Toney. Toney obliged with a walk-off bomb to center field, completing the comeback for BYU.

Sophomore Tori Almond picked up the win to go 10-2 on the year, pitching 2.2 innings with two strikeouts, no hits and no runs.

The Cougars jumped on the board early in the bottom of the first after a double by Willard to center field brought home JC Clayton and Jessica Dugas. The double was her third in the three-game series.

Manuma followed with a single down the first base line, bringing Willard home and leading to a quick 3-0 lead for the Cougars.

The Aggies answered and collected two runs in both the third and the fourth innings to take the lead, 4-3, before BYU's late-game home runs gave the Cougars the win.

Willard led the Cougars going 2 for 4 with two runs and three RBI. Manuma also had two hits while Toney added one hit, one run and two RBI.

BYU will take the early part of next week off due to finals before making its first-ever trip to play at Louisiana Tech. The three-game series will begin on Friday, Apr. 20.