TEMPE, Ariz. — BYU softball dropped at 10-6 contest at Arizona State that featured four total home runs in the Littlewood Classic opener at Farrington Softball Stadium on Thursday night.
The Cougars (5-1, 0-0 Big 12) and Sun Devils hit two home runs each. Center fielder Violet Zavodnik had a two-run homer for BYU and designated player Hailey Morrow delivered a solo shot. One of ASU’s two home runs was a grand slam that ultimately proved to be the difference in the game.
Player Highlights
- Violet Zavodnik: 2-4, 2 R, 3 RBI
- Hailey Morrow: 1-3, R, RBI
BYU plated two runs in the top of the first, starting with a leadoff hit-by-pitch from Ailana Agbyani and a Maddie Bejarano sacrifice bunt that moved Agbayani to second. She scored as Violet Zavodnik singled through the left side and Zavodnik came home on a Huntyr Ava single after stealing second and moving to third on an ASU throwing error.
ASU struck back in its half of the first, loading the bases on a double and two walks before a grand slam that put the Sun Devils up 4-2.
The Cougars responded in the top of the second inning as Bejarano was hit by pitch and Zavodnik launched an 0-1 pitch deep over the wall in right center to tie the game at 4-all.
ASU retook the lead in the bottom of the second on a leadoff walk, sacrifice bunt, and back-to-back singles, going ahead 6-4 through three innings.
Hailey Morrow helped BYU inch back, leading off with a solo shot to left center that drew the Cougars within one, at 6-5.
The Sun Devils tacked on an insurance run in the bottom of the third on a walk, wild pitch and infield single, adding another in the fourth with two singles and a BYU errors to put ASU in front, 8-5.
With Keila Kamoku, Maddie Udall and Tristen Turlington each singling to lead off the top of the sixth, BYU got a run back on a bases loaded infield groundout by Macy Simmons, making it 8-6, Arizona State.
ASU earned a two-out single that led two a two-run homer in the home half of the sixth inning to extend the lead to four runs, 10-6.
The Cougars will continue Littlewood Classic play with a doubleheader against No. 21/17 Virginia Tech and Illinois State on Friday, Feb. 16. First pitches are scheduled for 10:30 a.m. and 1:15 p.m. MST, with live stats available on Stat Broadcast.