BYU wins first Big 12 series of the year with 10-6 victory over Houston

PROVO, Utah — BYU softball secured its first Big 12 series victory of the season with a 10-6 win over Houston, earning back-to-back conference wins at Gail Miller Field on Friday night.

BOX SCORE

While Houston out-hit BYU 10 to eight, the Cougars in blue tallied four home runs for their second-straight 10-run effort. 

Ilove'a Brittingham led BYU (13-26, 4-10 Big 12) at the plate, going 2-2 with two home runs and five RBI, tying a season high. Lily Owens added a home run and three RBI, while Maddie Udall-Woolley finished 2-4 with a double. Danica Acosta also homered in the win.

Player Highlights

• Ilove'a Brittingham: 2-2, 2 HR, 5 RBI
• Maddie Udall-Woolley: 2-4, 2B
• Lily Owens: 1-3, HR, 3 RBI
• Danica Acosta: 1-4, HR, 1 RBI
• Jada Villega (W, 2-9): 3 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
• Gianna Mares (S, 1): 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 4, BB, K

Houston struck first in the top of the opening inning, scoring on a contested dead ball play that resulted in the game's first run.

BYU responded immediately, putting up three runs in the bottom half. Brittingham highlighted the inning with a two-out, full-count home run to center field, driving in Owens and Hailey Shuler.

The Cougars extended their lead in the second inning after Tristen Turlington singled off the center field wall and Lexie Bennett drew a walk. Owens followed with a three-run home run of her own to make it 6-1. Later in the inning, Udall-Woolley doubled deep to set up Brittingham’s second home run of the game, pushing the lead to 8-1.

Houston responded in the third, loading the bases with no outs and scoring three runs to cut the deficit to 8-4.

After both teams were held scoreless in the fourth, the Cougars in red added a two-run home run in the fifth to pull within 8-6, but BYU answered in the sixth.

With the bases loaded and no outs, Mansfield grounded out to bring home Udall-Woolley. Acosta later hit BYU’s fourth home run of the game, her third of the season, to extend the lead to 10-6.

Houston was unable to rally in the seventh, sandwiching two ground outs with a fly out to seal the game two win and series victory for BYU.

On Deck
The Cougars will go for the series sweep in game three on Saturday, Apr. 11 at noon MT on ESPN+.