BYU batted through its order in the top of the first and took a 5-0 lead. Danica Acosta led off with a triple down the right field line, scoring on an Utah Tech error. Lily Owens, Hailer Shuler, Rita Tavita, Bre Townsend, Hailey Morrow and Maddie Udall-Woolley each reached safely in the inning.
After retiring the Trailblazer side in the bottom of the first, the Cougars picked up where they left off, plating three more to go in front 8-0. Acosta walked, Shuler doubled and Ilove’a Brittingham singled before a UTU pitching change, leading to a Townsend walk and Morrow sacrifice fly.
Utah Tech got one back in the bottom of the second, stringing together two singles and a walk to make it 8-1, BYU.
Townsend extend the Cougar advantage back out to eight in the top of the fourth with a solo homer just past the right field fence for a 9-1 BYU lead.
Owens then made it 10-1 in the top of the fifth with a solo homer lined over the center field fence.
The Trailblazers picked up a one-out single in the home half of the fifth, but starter Gianna Mares struck out the next two UTU batters swinging to seal the run-rule victory for the Cougars.
On Deck
BYU will conclude Trailblazer Classic play against Omaha on Saturday, Mar 14 at 11 a.m. MT on ESPN+.
