Norton led BYU with three home runs
PROVO, Utah -- In the final games of the fall softball schedule, BYU swept Dixie State College in two games at Miller Park Thursday to give the Cougars a 14-1 record during the fall exhibition season.
The two game series was highlighted by freshman Jodi Norton's three home runs. Norton hit a solo home run in the bottom of the second and hit a two-run homer over left field in the bottom of the fifth inning. To complete her three home runs for the night, Norton came through big in game two with a grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Sophomore Ianeta Le`i also provided an offensive boost for the Cougars by adding a solo home run over right field and a couple doubles on the night.
The fielding was strong as the Cougars held the Rebels scoreless in the doubleheader. Junior Niki Andersen started at the mound and sophomore Brooke Boyce came in to close the game in the top of the sixth inning. Junior Ariel Capra started game two and Boyce finished the game out in the top of the fifth inning.
"Overall, I was pleased with the fall season," head coach Gordon Eakin said. "It went by too fast, but it showed me the talent level and depth of our young team."
The fall season was a good chance for BYU to play new recruits and see the progress the returning players have made since last season.
"Our depth creates a competitive atmosphere where people are going to be competing for starting positions," Eakin said.
Even though the Cougars put runs on the scoreboard during the fall season, the highlight according to Eakin was the pitching.
"I was especially pleased with the performance of Niki Andersen," Eakin said. "Niki worked hard in the off-season and it showed, but the entire pitching staff did well."
The team will continue working out until starting official practice in January.
"We have the best balance of speed and power we've ever had at BYU so far," Eakin said. "If we can stay free from injuries, we should be a very competitive team."
The team will work toward its first tournament on Feb. 4-7 at the 2004 Hawai`i Paradise Classic in Honolulu, Hawai`i.