PROVO, Utah — BYU softball hits the road again, visiting Incarnate Word in San Antonio before taking part in the Texas State State's Up Invitational.
The Cougars will face host Texas State, No. 18 Clemon, No. 9/11 Arkansas and Wichita State in San Marcos.
| Week 2 Opponent Information | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Opponent | Date | Time | Stream | Live Stats |
| @ Incarnate Word | Thursday, Feb. 12 | 12 p.m. CT | ESPN+ | Sidearm Stats |
| @ Texas State | Friday, Feb. 13 | 2:30 p.m. CT | N/A | Stat Broadcast |
| No. 18 Clemson | Friday, Feb. 13 | 7 p.m. CT | N/A | Stat Broadcast |
| No. 9/11 Arkansas | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 11 a.m. CT | N/A | Stat Broadcast |
| Wichita State | Saturday, Feb. 14 | 5:45 p.m. CT | N/A | Stat Broadcast |
BYU went 1-4 at the NFCA Leadoff Classic on Clearwater, Florida, during opening weekend, picking up a win over Notre Dame (8-5), but falling to No. 4 Tennessee (10-0, 5), Michigan State (8-4), Penn State (4-3, 8) and Missouri (9-6).
Lefty Gianna Mares picked up the win against the Fighting Irish, while Duke transfer utility player Hailey Shuler earned a save in the contest.
The Cougars homered three times over the course of the weekend, with solo shots by Lily Owens and Shuler to go along with a three-run shot by freshman Rita Tavita.
After five games of play, Shuler leads the team with a .467 batting average, while Ilove'a Brittingham is hitting .313. Hailey Morrow (.294), Owens (.273) and Bre Townsend (.231) follow just behind.
Shuler, who was named to the Leadoff Classic's all-tournament team, also has a team-high three multi-hit games, tallying two twice and three once. Brittingham has a pair of two-hit games as well, while Danica Acosta and Morrow have one apiece.
Mares and Shuler were joined by Kaysen Korth and Jada Villegas in the circle, striking out 27 across 32.1 innings of work on a 6.49 ERA.
Through opening weekend, BYU ranks No. 22 nationally in double plays (3) and No. 24 in double plays per game (0.60). It is also 50th in sacrifice flies (2).
Individually, Shuler ranks eighth in saves (1), Owens is 14th in walks per game (1.40), Morrow is 22nd in triples (1) and Brittingham/Mares are 30th in sacrifice flies (1).
The Cougars, facing Incarnate Word for the first time in series history, will also match up with Clemson for the first time, as well as Arkansas and Wichita State for just the second time.
Incarnate Word (5-0)
- This will be the first meeting between the two teams in series history.
Texas State (3-2)
- The Bobcats lead the all-time series, 3-2.
- BYU is 0-1 against TSU in San Marcos.
- The last meeting in series history was at Texas State, a 2-1 Bobcat win in 2021.
No. 18 Clemson (3-2)
- This will be the first meeting between the two teams in series history.
No. 9/11 Arkansas (4-1)
- BYU leads the all-time series, 1-0.
- The only meeting in series history was also at a neutral site, a 6-4 BYU victory as part of the Oklahoma State NCAA Regional in 2019.
Wichita State (2-3)
- The Shockers lead the all-time series, 1-0.
- The two teams' last meeting was also at a neutral site, a 6-3 WSU win in Houston back in 2006.
On Deck
Following their trip to Texas, the Cougars will make their annual trip to Palm Springs for the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.