SAN ANTONIO — BYU softball dropped its contest at Incarnate Word, 9-7, at H-E-B Field on Thursday afternoon.
The Cougars (1-5, 0-0 Big 12) held leads of 2-0 and 7-5, but surrendered a four-run sixth and couldn’t recover.
Player Highlights
- Hailey Morrow: 2-3, 2B, HR (GS), 4 RBI
- Rita Tavita: 2-2, 2 2B, 2 RBI
BYU jumped out to a 2-0 lead, loading the bases on a UIW throwing error and two walks before a Rita Tavita double to left center that scored both Lily Owens and Hailey Morrow.
Incarnate Word tied things up in the home half of the first on a pair of singles, a double, a sacrifice bunt and an infield groundout.
UIW sent eight to the plate in the bottom of the second, plating three on two infield errors, two singles and a walk to take a 5-2 lead after two.
BYU answered with a five spot in the fourth to go back in front, 7-5. A Maddie Udall-Woolley single to center, Tristen Turlington walk, Miranda Mansfield sacrifice bunt and Owens walk made way for a Morrow grand slam to center field, helping the Cougars retake the lead.
The Cardinals took the lead once more in the sixth, batting around the order with three singles, two fielders’ choices, a sacrifice fly and a hit batter, going in front 9-7 through six.
BYU went down in order in the top of the seventh, including grounding into a double play two pitches into the final frame, dropping its third-straight contest in the 9-7 defeat.
On Deck
The Cougars will look to bounce back on Thursday, Feb. 13, as they face Texas State and No. 18 Clemson as part of the State’s Up Invitational.