ORLANDO, Fla. — BYU fell at UCF in game one of its three-game series, 3-2 at UCF Softball Complex on Thursday night.
The Cougars (21-14, 4-9 Big 12) held a 1-0 lead through the first three innings, but tallied just three hits to the Knight’s 10, ultimately the difference in the game.
Player Highlights
- Ailana Agbayani: 1-2, 2 R
- Huntyr Ava: 1-3, RBI
- Kate Dahle: 3 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 K
BYU struck first in the top of the first as Ailana Agbayani led off with a walk. She moved to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a groundout, scoring as Huntyr Ava singled on the first pitch she saw for a 1-0 Cougar lead.
After scoreless second and third innings, UCF tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth after a leadoff single and double to center field. The Knights had two runners in scoring position with one out, but starting pitcher Kate Dahle got out of the jam with a strikeout and pop out.
In the top of the fifth, Agbayani earned a two-out single before stealing second and going to third on a UCF throwing error. After a Maddie Bejarano walk, BYU attempted a double steal, with Agbayani coming home to score and give the Cougars a 2-1 lead.
The Knights answered back to take their first lead of the game in the home half of the fifth, stringing together a single and consecutive doubles to go along with a BYU error for a 3-2 advantage.
Turing a double play to get out of the sixth inning, the Cougars looked to tie or retake the lead, but went down in order to close out the game.
Up Next
The Cougars and Knights will play game two of their series on Friday, April 5 at 6 p.m. EDT, with streaming through Big 12 Now on ESPN+.