PROVO, Utah — BYU softball rallied to take a two-run lead in the fifth inning but ultimately fell in game two of a doubleheader, 12-9 at Gail Miller Field on Thursday evening.
The Cougars (26-21, 8-15 Big 12) were just out-hit by the Bears, 12-11, and left 10 on base to Baylor’s seven. There were a combined seven errors in the game, with the Bears’ four and BYU’s three.
Player Highlights
- Huntyr Ava: 3-4, HR, 2 RBI
- Ailana Agbayani: 2-4, 2 RBI
- May Simmons: 2-2, 2B, RBI
Baylor picked up where it left off in the first game of the doubleheader, jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead in the top of the first with a solo homer to right field, double and two singles.
BYU got two runs back in its half of the first after Ailana Agbayani led off with a slap single and Maddie Bejarano walked. Following a Violet Zavodnik fielder’s choice and stolen base, Huntyr Ava slapped a ball down the left field line and Lily Owens hit a sacrifice fly to left, scoring both Ailana Agbayani and Zavodnik to make it 3-2.
The Cougars got two in scoring position with two outs in the bottom of the second inning, but a strikeout squandered the opportunity.
Baylor added another in the third, leading off with a double down the left field line and following that up with a single up the middle to go ahead 4-2.
BYU again answered in its half of the frame as Ava sent a rocket past the left field fence for her team-leading 11th home run of the season to cut into the BU advantage, at 4-3.
The Bears loaded the bases with just one out in the top of the fourth inning and plated a run on a sacrifice fly, but Zavodnik caught a Baylor runner tagging up from second to get the Cougars out of the inning with a play at third.
Putting up a four-spot to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth, BYU batted through its order as it scored two runs on an Ailana Agbayani triple down the right field line, infield Baylor error and double steal attempt that got Bejarano home for a 7-5 lead.
Rain began to fall in the top of the fifth inning, and a pair of delays sandwiched a walk and single to open the frame. A three-run shot to center coming out of the second delay allowed the Bears to regain the lead, which they would extend with a pair of walks and single to go in front, 10-7.
The Cougars did some two-out damage in the bottom of the fifth with an Aleia Agbayani double down the left field line and a Macy Simmons double to center to make it 10-8.
Baylor plated two more in the sixth, however, getting a BYU error, pair of singles, fielder’s choice, walk and sacrifice fly to lead 12-8.
BYU got one back in the bottom of the sixth inning to draw within three, at 12-9. Zavodnik led off with a single to center before advancing to second on a Baylor error during Ava’s fielder’s choice. After a pair of strikeouts, Maddie Udall singled up the middle to score Zavodnik.
Ailana Agbayani drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the the seventh, but two fly outs and a strikeout halted any potential comeback as the Cougars dropped game two of the doubleheader and the series, 12-9.
On Deck
BYU and Baylor will try to play the series finale on Friday, April 26 at 6 p.m. MDT, if weather permits. If inclement weather in the forecast persists, game three will be held as scheduled, with a noon first pitch on Saturday, April 27.