Big Wins at Southern Utah

CEDAR CITY, Utah - The BYU softball team stayed undefeated against in-state opponents this season by pounding out the hits at Southern Utah in a doubleheader, winning 13-5 and 7-2 on Tuesday.

BYU (32-13) totaled a season-high 16 hits in game one and followed with 11 in game two to sweep the four-game season series against Southern Utah.

The heart of the Cougar lineup gave the T-Bird pitchers fits as batters three through six in the lineup - JC Clayton, Delaney Willard, Katie Manuma and Stacie Toney - each had three hits. In addition, all four players except Toney had at least two runs and all four but Clayton had at least two RBI.

Willard, who was a home run short of the cycle, brought in two runs in the first off a triple, then scored during the next at bat on a Manuma single.

After Willard led off with a double in the third inning, Manuma again brought her home on an RBI single. Manuma scored later in the inning on a fielder's choice by Jenna Goar, giving BYU a 7-2 lead.

After Toney singled home a run, Ashlee Brawley came up with the bases loaded, doubling to center field for three RBI. 

The Cougars closed out Southern Utah with two more RBI singles, one by Willard and another by Toney, wrapping up the game in five innings.

Hannah Howell picked up the win, moving to a 16-7 record.

Game Two

Scoring three runs in the top of the first, BYU rode its early lead the remainder of the game for a 7-2 win. 

Tori Almond struck out nine in the win from the circle. Tiffany Messerschmidt went 3 for 4 with two runs while Manuma went 2 for 3 with three RBI.

The Cougars' first three batters of the games reached base, the third on an RBI single by Clayton to score Dugas. Two batters later, Manuma singled up the middle, scoring two more. Dugas added a sacrifice fly in the second, giving BYU a 4-0 lead.

BYU scored three runs in the final inning. Dugas walked and Messerschmidt and Clayton both singled to load the bases before Willard stepped up and singled through the right side, scoring two. Manuma's sacrifice fly to right field to bring in Clayton rounded out the scoring.

BYU will next play San Jose State in a Western Athletic Conference matchup on Friday at 6 p.m. MT. The game will be televised live on BYUtv and will feature fireworks following the game. The two teams will meet again on Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at 1:30 p.m. MT on BYUtv that will feature a ceremony afterwards to honor the Cougars' five seniors.