CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. — BYU softball picked up a 5-4 win against Long Beach State in game one of its doubleheader in the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic at Big League Dreams Complex on Friday evening.
The Cougars (3-9, 0-0 Big 12) used a five-run fifth to take the lead, holding on late after three Beach runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
Player Highlights
- Ilove’a Brittingham: 1-3, HR, 4 RBI
- Lexie Bennett: 2-3
- Tristen Turlington: 1-3, 2B
- Gianna Mares (W, 3-1): 6 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, BB, 6 K
- Jada Villegas (S, 1): 1 IP, 1 H, 0 R
Long Beach State scored the game’s first run in the top of the third inning on a single, BYU error, wild pitch and sacrifice fly on a diving Hailey Shuler catch down the right field line.
Lily Owens and Lexie Bennett both beat out infield singled in the home half of the third with two outs, but the Cougars were unable to capitalize.
BYU broke things open with a five spot in the fifth, doing all of its damage with two outs.
After a Miranda Mansfield walk, LBSU pitching change, Owens walk and Bennett’s second infield single of the contest, Hailey Morrow reached on a fielder’s choice where Bennett slid into second just in time, plating Mansfield. Ilove’a Brittingham blasted a grand slam to right center two pitches later, making it 5-1, Cougars.
The Beach got one back in the sixth on two singles, a stolen base and sacrifice fly to center field for a 5-2 game.
Long Beach State made things interesting in the top of the seventh, stringing together three straight singles to score one and force a BYU pitching change.
After starter Gianna Mares made way for Jada Villegas, LBSU singled and scored on an obstruction call, cutting the lead to one, but a sacrifice bunt and consecutive groundouts to Morrow at short ended the contest, earning Mares the win and Villegas her first save on the year.
On Deck
The Cougars will complete their Friday doubleheader against Auburn on Friday, Feb. 20 at 8 p.m. PT on FloCollege.