PROVO, Utah — BYU softball welcomes Abilene Christian to Gail Miller Field on Tuesday afternoon in the Cougars' home opener.
After 22 games away from Provo to start its 2026 campaign, BYU returns home to face off with ACU at 4 p.m. MT.
| BYU vs. Abilene Christian | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date | Time | Stream | Live Stats |
| Tuesday, Mar. 10 | 4 p.m. MT | ESPN+ | StatBroadcast |
The Cougars were swept by No. 13/14 Arizona in their Big 12-opening series in Tucson last week, being outscored by the Wildcats, 37-4 across the 15 innings.
BYU was led by Rita Tavita (.333), Lily Owens (.286) and Hailey Morrow (.286) offensively, who each finished with two hits apiece in the series, combining for six of the Cougars' 10 total hits in Tucson.
Bre Townsend, Danica Acosta, Hailey Shuler and Ilove'a Brittingham each added one hit on the weekend, including a double by Shuler and RBI-single from Townsend.
Recording three extra-base hits, BYU received a two-run home run from Ilove'a Brittingham in Saturday's series finale, her team-leading seventh of the season.
Jada Villegas, Shuler, Gianna Mares and Tavita each spent time in the circle for the Cougars, with Villegas, Shuler and Mares tabbed a loss apiece. The trio combined for eight strikeouts of Arizona batters, led by Mares' four.
As a team, BYU ranks No. 66 nationally in strikeouts per seven innings (5.64), which is good for fifth in the Big 12.
Individually, Villegas' two saves rank 22nd nationally and Brittingham's five runners caught stealing ranks 45th in the country. Both statistics are good for second in the league.
Mares' eight strikeouts per seven innings sit at No. 50 nationwide, while Owens' 0.77 walks per game are 58th and second in the Conference.
Entering its Big 12 bye week, the Cougars will meet three non-conference opponents in four games, including two that they've never faced previously, beginning with the Wildcats.
Abilene Christian (2-21, 0-0 WAC)
- The Wildcats enter the midweek contest on a seven-game losing streak.
- ACU is also 0-5 in road games this season.
- This is the first meeting in series history between the two teams.
Following its home opener on Tuesday afternoon, BYU will head down to St. George to play Omaha and Utah Tech in the Trailblazer Classic, beginning with the Mavericks on Friday, Mar. 13 at 11 a.m. MT.