PROVO, Utah — Keila Kamoku tied a school record as BYU softball defeated Utah Tech, 12-7 at Gail Miler Field on Tuesday night.
The Cougars (24-10, 7-5 Big 12) took an early 4-0 lead in the first inning off Kamoku's grand slam. The Trailblazers brought the game to a tie in the fourth, but seven more runs in the fifth and sixth innings ensured a victory for BYU.
Kamoku's grand slam marks her second of the year and BYU's fifth overall this season. She also launched a three-run jack, the fourth multi-home run game of her career. The senior tallied eight RBI on the night, tying the Cougar record for most RBI in a single game, last done by Daniela Urincho-Snow on April 16, 2008.
Player Highlights
After three-consecutive outs by pitcher Gianna Mares, Lily Owens advanced to first base off a hit to left field and a shortstop error. Hailey Morrow drew a walk, and Ilove’a Brittingham loaded the bases after a hit to left field. Kamoku hammered a shot past center field for a grand slam and a 4-0 lead.
Despite two early Utah Tech walks in the third inning, Mares and Morrow held the Trailblazers in check with a double play and a strikeout. In the bottom of the third, Brittingham singled up the middle, followed by a walk for Lindy Milkowski to load the bases. Another single up the middle by Keila Kamoku brought Brittingham into home, extending the Cougars’ lead to 5-0.
Utah Tech scored five runs in the fourth off two singles up the middle, a groundout to second and a single to right center field, batting around the order as it tied the game at 5-5.
Morrow took first base for BYU in the fifth inning off a walk, her second of the game. Milkowski then knocked a home run to left field, regaining the lead for the Cougars at 7-5. Kamoku walked and Lauren Flanders followed off an error from the Trailblazers, sending Kamoku to second. Bre Townsend doubled to right field and sent Kamoku and Flanders home, extending BYU’s lead to 9-5.
Morrow drew her third walk of the contest to start BYU’s offensive sixth inning. A Brittingham single to center moved Morrow to second. Each player advanced one base off a fly out from Milkowski before Kamoku hit her second home run of the night, putting the Cougars up 12-5.
Utah Tech plated two in the seventh off a passed ball and sacrifice fly, but BYU closed things out a batter later to secure the 12-7 win.
On Deck
The Cougars will take on UCF in a three-game Big 12 series, with the game one on Apr. 10 at 6 p.m. MDT. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.