ORLANDO, Fla. — BYU softball dropped game two of its series at UCF, 9-4 at UCF Softball Complex on Friday night.
The Cougars (21-15, 4-10 Big 12) out-hit the Knights, 10-9, but left 10 runners on base to UCF’s five. Each team scored in three different innings, with the Knights’ five-run third breaking a 1-1 tie and giving them the lead for good.
Player Highlights
- Huntyr Ava: 3-4, RBI
- Ailana Agbayani: 2-3, 2 R
- Jaelynn Lambert: 2-3, R
- Violet Zavodnik: 1-2, R, RBI
UCF plated one in the bottom of the first inning after a leadoff walk, sacrifice bunt, groundout and BYU fielding error to take a 1-0 lead.
The Cougars loaded the bases with one out in the top of the second, but consecutive fielder’s choices squandered the opportunity.
Breaking through in the third, Ailana Agbayani led off with a hit-by-pitch and moved to second on a Maddie Bejarano sacrifice bunt. A Violet Zavodnik single to center scored Ailana Agbayani to tie the game at 1-1.
The Knights retook the lead in their half of the third inning, exploding for five runs on three singles, a squeeze bunt and bases-clearing double to go in front, 6-1 after three.
In the fifth, Jaelynn Lambert, Ailana Agbayani and Violet Zavodnik loaded the bases with one out. Lambert and Ailana Agbayani came home to score on an Ava single and Owens fielder’s choice, making it 6-3.
UCF extended its lead back out in the bottom of the sixth on a pair of doubles and walks, and a groundout, gaining a 9-3 advantage.
Zavodnik, Ava and Owens loaded the bases for BYU’s third time in the contest. The Cougars were able to plate one on an Aleia Agbayani groundout, but struck out and flew out to end the game from there.
Up Next
The series finale between the Cougars and Knights will be on Saturday, April 6 at noon EDT, with streaming through Big 12 Now on ESPN+.