PROVO, Utah -- The BYU softball team swept the Snow College Badgers in two games Tuesday at Miller Park, improving to a 7-0 record in the fall exhibition schedule.
"This was a great team victory," coach Vaughn Alvey said. "Our team is moving forward in the right direction."
The Cougars came to the game with their bats swinging, scoring 28 runs in the double header, and holding the Badgers to only one run.
The first game was called after the fifth inning on a 10-run mercy rule. Offensive highlights in game one were senior Kate Walker's three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, junior Debbie Dodds' triple in the bottom of the fourth to score two runs and senior Lindsey Gerhauser's right field shot to bring in the first run of the game in the bottom of the second.
Defensively, sophomore Brooke Boyce pitched three strikeouts, junior catcher Lauren Watson converted on a throw from catcher to second base, sophomore Paige Paramore had two good stops at third base and Krystle Chamberlain made a nice play in left field on a fly ball.
The second game BYU got off to a good start scoring eight runs in the bottom of the first. Sophomore Ashlyn Russel's two-run home run and Dodds' three-run home run in the bottom of the first inning gave the Cougars the 8-0 lead.
The Bruins put up a hit scoring their first run of the night in the top of the second inning (8-1).
The Cougars brought the game to a close in the bottom of the third inning scoring 10 runs highlighted by a grand slam from UVSC transfer Crystal Young.
BYU didn't let up defensively in game two and junior Niki Andersen pitched eight strikeouts.
"We're seeing a lot of progress with our pitchers," Alvey said. "Niki threw harder than she has all year and maintained control."
Even though the Cougars scored 28 runs, the team was able to practice their swings and individually work on the things they needed to improve upon.
"Our hitters stayed focused and were able to work on becoming better hitters," Alvey said.
In the top of the fifth inning, senior Belinda Osborn left game one with a possible broken bone in her hand and is expected to be out for three to four weeks. Sophomore Ianeta Le`i is recovering from a pulled quad and is probable to play Thursday.
The Cougars will have one day of practice before heading to play at Salt Lake Community College Thursday in a double header starting at 3 p.m.