BYU sandwiched scoreless first and third innings with a Milkowski home run to left center, putting the Cougars up 1-0.
Houston looked to even the score in the bottom of the third inning, but a Lily Owens throw home to Milkowski got the runner attempting to score, retaining BYU’s one-run lead.
Milkowski launched her second homer of the game in the fourth frame, sending a towering shot over the scoreboard in left field to put the Cougars in front, 2-0.
Houston answered back with a home run of its own, a two-run shot that tied the contest at 2-2.
The Cougars retook the lead in the fifth as Miranda Mansfield led off by beating out an infield single, moving to third after a Lauren Flanders sacrifice bunt and wild pitch. Owens then singled up the middle to score Mansfield for a 3-2 BYU advantage.
Houston threatened again in the fifth with a leadoff double down the right field line. BYU was able to get Houston’s lead runner out at third before a pair of strikeouts got the Cougars out of the jam.
BYU added an insurance run in the sixth as Milkowski reached on an error before her pinch runner, Amiya Hernandez, moved into scoring position on a Bre Townsend sacrifice bunt. Aleia Agbayani singled up the middle and Hernandez came around to score on another Houston error, making it 4-2.
Closing things out in the seventh, the Cougars got two quick groundouts before working around a walk with a swinging strikeout, sealing the 4-2 victory and Big 12 series win.
On Deck
BYU will go for the series sweep with game three set for Saturday, Mar. 22 at noon CDT. The series finale will be streamed on ESPN+.
