PROVO -- The BYU softball team heads to Palm Springs, Calif., this weekend Feb.24-26 for the Palm Springs Classic Tournament.
The Cougars are scheduled to play five games in three days starting with Bethune-Cookman College Feb. 24. In addition, on Feb. 25, BYU plays Big-12 opponent Texas, who currently holds the No. 3 ranking in the ESPN.com/USA Today Polls, and another Big-12 foe, Kansas.
The weekend doesn't let up there either. With a contest against Long Island University and a rematch with Oklahoma State Feb. 26, the Cougars really have their work cut out for them.
BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said this weekend promises to really test the team.
"We definitely have some tough games ahead of us," Eakin said. "Bethune-Cookman has been outstanding offensively for the last couple of years, Texas has great pitching with Team USA Olympic pitcher, Cat Osterman, and Kansas is always tough."
The rematch between BYU and Oklahoma St. comes just over two weeks after the Cougars defeated the Cowgirls in a 12-2 decision, Feb.12 in Las Vegas.
"I am sure Oklahoma St. will be ready for us," Eakin said. "They'll be up for that game."
BYU leads the Mountain West Conference in batting average (.415), slugging percentage (.836), on-base percentage (.491), runs scored (80), RBI (66), home runs (22), and total bases (167). Senior Lauren Watson-Perry leads the conference in batting average (.667), slugging percentage (1.476), on-base percentage (.708), runs scored (12), RBI (11), and home runs (5) ... BYU received 16 votes in the latest USA Today/NFCA and ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Polls.
BYU enters the Palm Springs Classic with a 7-0 record and looking to improve on their best ever season start.
Next up: Bethune-Cookman College, Feb. 24, 8:00 p.m.