BYU scored its first two runs on the series in the top of the first inning as Lexie Bennett dropped a singled into shallow center and Owens homered to center for a 2-0 lead.
Oklahoma State answered, with a two-out hit batsman, bloop single down the right field line and successful double steal attempt to make it 2-1.
The Cowgirls tied things up in the second on a single into left, sacrifice bunt and Cougar fielding error.
BYU sent eight batters to the plate in the third, taking a 4-2 lead. Miranda Mansfield, Danica Acosta, Bennett, Hailey Shuler and Rita Tavita all reached safely in the frame, scoring two on Acosta’s double and Tavita’s bases loaded walk.
After Villegas retired the side in order in the home half of the third, the Cougars did some more damage in the top of the fourth. Bre Townsend led off with a four-pitch walk, Mansfield reached on a sacrifice bunt error, Shuler singled into center and BYU scored on a double steal attempt to lead 7-2 halfway through four.
OSU got a run back in the sixth, loading the bases before scoring on a wild pitch to make it 7-3, Cougars.
BYU originally got the run back in the top of the seventh, but got called out for leaving early, keeping its lead at four.
In the final frame, Oklahoma State picked up a one-out single, but Villegas induced a fly out down the right field line to earn the complete game victory.
On Deck
The Cougars will return to the state of Utah next week, beginning with a midweek contest at Utah Valley on Tuesday, Mar. 24 at 6 p.m. MT on ESPN+.
