BYU slides past Illinois State, 1-0

PUERTO VALLARTA, Mex. — A Bre Townsend RBI in the fifth inning helped BYU softball past Illinois State in game two of the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge, 1-0.

BOX SCORE

In a pitcher’s dual that saw starter Kaysen Korth toss five and a third of shutout ball, the Cougars (5-0, 0-0 Big 12) finally broke through in the fifth inning with singles from Hailey Morrow and Townsend to remain unbeaten.

Player Highlights

• Bre Townsend: 2-2, RBI
• Danica Acosta: 2-3
• Kaysen Korth (W, 3-0): 5.1 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K
• Jada Villegas (S, 1): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 K

BYU had runners aboard in the first and third innings and went down in order in the second and fourth frames.

The Cougars got things going in the top of the fifth when Morrow roped a single over the top of the ISU third baseman’s glove, sliding into third after a fielding error in left field. Townsend singled through the left side a batter later, scoring Morrow, the game’s only run.

After a leadoff Redbird single in the bottom of the sixth that was erased by center fielder Lily Owens’ relay throw into second baseman Tristen Turlington, Jada Villegas came on in relief and included four groundouts to go along with one strikeout, earning her first collegiate save.

On Deck
The Cougars will play in the final game of the night on Friday, Feb. 14, an 8:30 p.m. CT first pitch against Boise State with streaming on FloCollege.