PROVO, Utah — BYU softball continues its nine-game homestand this week, hosting Houston in a three-game Big 12 series.
The Cougars (11-26, 2-10 Big 12) of Provo will welcome the Cougars of Houston for a three-game set beginning on Thursday, Apr. 9 at 6 p.m. MT.
| BYU vs. Houston | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Game | Date | Time | Stream | Live Stats |
| Game 1 | Thursday, Apr. 9 | 6 p.m. MT | ESPN+ | StatBroadcast |
| Game 2 | Friday, Apr. 10 | 6 p.m. MT | ESPN+ | StatBroadcast |
| Game 3 | Saturday, Apr. 11 | Noon MT | ESPN+ | StatBroadcast |
BYU looks to snap a five-game losing streak in the series, having dropped its Tuesday midweek to Utah Valley, 4-3, its three-game set at then-No. 2 Texas Tech last week and game three against Kansas two weeks ago.
The Cougars brought the winning runner to the plate twice in Tuesday's contest against the Wolverines, but grounded out and flew out with the tying runner at third, one of eight runners left stranded in the game.
Despite out-hitting UVU, 11-5, BYU surrendered a three-run third to the Wolverines that included a Cougar error in the outfield, ultimately the difference in the game.
During its five-game skid, the Cougars are hitting .248, just under their season average of .256. Maddie Udall-Woolley leads the team with a .500 average over the span, with Hailey Shuler and Tristen Turlington each batting .333 since game three against the Jayhawks.
Danica Acosta (.294) and Lily Owens (.286) round out BYU's main bats, with Bre Townsend and Ilove'a Brittingham turning in a hit apiece across a combined 21 at-bats.
The Cougars have four hitters with averages of .300 or better on the year in Acosta (.326), Shuler (.320), Owens (.313) and Hailey Morrow (.303). Udall-Woolley (.262) and Rita Tavita (.254) follow shortly behind.
BYU's pitching staff has combined for a 7.72 ERA and 152 strikeouts in the circle, with Shuler's 7.22 ERA and Mares' 77 strikeouts leading the way. The pair have also combined for 10 of the Cougars' 11 wins on the year.
Tallying 16 double plays on the season, BYU ranks 47th nationally and fifth in the Big 12. It is also 53rd in the country, averaging 0.43 per game, good for fifth as well.
Lefty Jada Villegas' three saves rank No. 21 in the nation and second in the Conference. Brittingham's six runners caught stealing also rank second in the league.
With the two Cougar programs sitting at 10th and 11th in the 11-team Big 12, this weekend's series has the potential to provide some separation in the Conference standings.
Houston (20-22, 3-12 Big 12)
- The Cougars won their series at Baylor last weekend, including a 10-1 series-clinching win in game three.
- UH is 4-6 on the road this season after going 2-1 in Waco.
- The all-time series between the two teams is tied, 7-7. BYU took all four meetings last year, sweeping Houston at UH before picking up a 4-0 victory to open the Big 12 Championship in Oklahoma City.
On Deck
The Cougars will host games five through eight of their nine-game homestand next week, beginning with a Tuesday morning game against Utah Tech.