AMES, Iowa — A four-run fifth inning helped BYU softball beat Iowa State in game two of a three-game set at Cyclone Sports Complex on Friday evening.
Trailing 3-1, the Cougars (22-10, 6-5 Big 12) tied and then took the lead as they batted around the order in the fifth frame. Outhitting Iowa State nine to six, BYU plated four insurance runs in the seventh that proved to be valuable in the contest.
Player Highlights
- Ilove’a Brittingham: 2-3, HR, 3 RBI
- Hailey Morrow: 2-4, 2 RBI
- Lily Owens: 2-3, RBI
- Jada Villegas (W, 3-2): 3.1 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, BB, 4 K
Iowa State opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, leading off with a bloop double down the left field line before a single through the right side later in the inning for a 1-0 lead.
The Cyclones had two on with one out in the bottom of the third, but a 1-5-3 double play got BYU out of the inning, its first time turning two since March 7 at Arizona State.
After being retired in order the first three frames to open the game, Lily Owens led off the fourth with a single through the left side, but the Cougars were promptly doubled off on a line out. Ilove’a Brittingham evened the game up three pitches later, however, hammering a solo shot to center field, her team-leading 12 homer of the year, to make it a 1-1 game.
ISU answered right back in its half of the fourth, drawing a leadoff walk before a home run to center field of its own to go back in front, 3-1.
After a pair of first pitch outs to open the fifth, BYU proceeded to bat around the order. Consecutive singles by Aleia Agbayani, Miranda Mansfield and Maddie Udall-Woolley loaded the bases for Owens, who walked to bring Agbayani home.
Hailey Morrow then singled down the right field line, scoring two to give the Cougars their first lead of the game. Following up Morrow, Brittingham was hit by a pitch to load the bases once more, bringing up Lindy Milkowski, who reached on an error to plate another and make it 5-3, BYU.
The Cougars blew it open in the seventh, loading the bases on a Lauren Flanders walk, Owens infield single and Morrow bunt. Brittingham roped a ball into center, plating two, before back-to-back sacrifice flies from Lindy Milkowski and Keila Kamoku gave BYU a six-run advantage.
Iowa State sandwiched two strikeouts looking with a single and error to put runners on the corners before loading the bases on a hit batsman. The Cyclones scored two on a single through the left side and Cougar obstruction error, but a fly out the ensuing pitch sealed the 9-5 game two win for BYU.
On Deck
Evening the series, the rubber match between the Cougars and Cyclones will be on Saturday, April 5 at Noon CDT on ESPN+.