PROVO, Utah — BYU softball made a late-game push but fell short to No. 4/6 Oklahoma State, 3-2 in the first of three games at Gail Miller Field on Thursday night.
The Cougars (16-11, 1-6 Big 12) rallied to score a run in both the fourth and sixth innings, but left four on base throughout the contest, including in the final frame.
Player Highlights
Oklahoma State controlled the first inning with a home run to get on the board first, 2-0.
BYU’s left-handed pitcher Gianna Mares held up the defense through the second and third innings. Three quick outs, including a ground ball tag out by Ava, brought the Cougars back to bat in the bottom of the third, but they could not get on the board.
At the top of the fourth, the Cowgirls loaded the bases with several hits and grabbed another run, bringing the score to 3-0. An attempt to steal second allowed the Cowgirl on third to run it in, but Ailana Agbayani had eyes on home and threw into catcher Hailey Morrow to tag for the third out.
Lily Owens singled to first to start the bottom of the fourth, followed by a fielder's choice from Ava. An OSU error while trying to tag Owens out at second allowed her to advance to third. She then stole home on a double steal attempt to get the Cougars on the board, 3-1.
In the fifth, a line drive to first caught by Ava on the bag secured an inning-ending double play, but the Cougars could not capitalize in the bottom half of the frame.
After a ground out, strikeout from Mares, pitching change, and a strikeout from Chloe Temples, the Cougars moved back to bat in the bottom of the sixth.
Aliana Agbayani's hit to left field, Maddie Bejarano's base hit, and Ava's pop fly sacrifice allowed Agbayani to run home, bringing the score to 3-2 to close out the sixth. Two quick strikeouts from Temples and a fly out from Bejarano gave the Cougars an opportunity to take control in the bottom of the seventh.
Despite a leadoff base hit from Keila Kamoku, BYU went down in order and couldn’t make up the final run as the Cowgirls won 3-2.
Up Next
The Cougars will continue their series against Oklahoma State on Friday, Mar. 21 at 5 p.m. MDT. Coverage will be streamed on Big 12 Now on ESPN+.