SACRAMENTO, Calif. — BYU softball won game two of a doubleheader in the Capital Classic, beating UC Davis, 5-3 courtesy of a four-run fifth inning at Shea Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
In a game that featured two separate rain delays totaling 15 minutes, the Cougars (13-4, 0-0 Big 12) only scored in the fifth and seventh innings, recording four runs in the fifth and one in the final inning. After the third inning, BYU held UC Davis to just one run through the rest of the game.
Player Highlights
- Violet Zavodnik: 2-4, 1 R, 2B, 2 RBI
- Lily Owens: 2-3, 1 R, RBI
- Maddie Udall: 1-3, 1 RBI
- Huntyr Ava: 1-3, 1 RBI
- Alyssa Aguilar (W, 1-0): 3.1 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 1 K
BYU and UC Davis went scoreless through the first inning. The Cougars opened the top of the first with a Maddie Bejarano single through the left side. Violet Zavodnik reached on a fielder’s choice, but the Cougars were unable to capitalize and ended the first inning with just one hit and no runs.
In the top of the second, Maddie Udall was hit by a pitch and advanced to first. Two pop outs from Huntyr Ava and Lyndsey Madrigal followed by a Macy Simmons fly out left the Cougars scoreless through the second inning.
In the bottom of the second, UC Davis saw the first run of the game courtesy of two singles and a walk before a double play by the Cougars to close out the inning.
BYU’s Ailana Agbayani reached on a fielding error to open the top of the third. Bejarano reached on a fielder’s choice while Agbayani got out at second. With Zavodnik driving a single up the middle and Lily Owens being hit by a pitch, the bases were loaded as Huntyr Ava went up to bat.
With a fly out to centerfield, the Cougars were unable to get a run in the third. UC Davis extended its lead with another run in the bottom of the third from two hits, a stolen base and a wild pitch.
With three quick BYU outs in the top of the fourth, the Aggies went to bat. UC Davis had three walks and saw the bases loaded, but hit a pop out and did not record any runs.
The Cougars opened the scoring floodgates in the fifth inning, plating four runs and taking the lead. After a Morrow walk, an Agbayani single and a Bejarano sacrifice bunt, Zavodnik brought home two runs with a double to tie the game up at 2-2. Ava hit a sacrifice fly to right field, advancing Owens and bringing Zavodnik home for run number three. The fourth and final run of the inning came as Udall singled up the middle, scoring Owens.
The Cougars held the Aggies scoreless in the bottom of the fifth, holding onto their first lead of the game, 4-2.
With two pop outs and a strike, the Cougars did not record any hits or runs in the top of the sixth. BYU held UC Davis to three quick outs, holding its 4-2 lead heading into the final inning.
Starting the final inning was Bejarano with a double to left center. Lauren Flanders came in to pinch run for Bejarano, scoring on an Owens single up the middle as the Cougars added an insurance run to go ahead 5-2.
UC Davis recorded one more run in the final inning, but the Cougars held their lead and took home the win, 5-3.
Up Next
BYU will continue Capital Classic play with another doubleheader on Friday, Mar. 1 against UC Santa Barbara and Utah State. First pitches are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and Noon PST, and only live stats will be available.