Softball
Gianna Mares prepares to pitch during game against Baylor in 2024

Gianna Mares Season 2024

#1
PositionLeft Hand Pitcher/Outfielder
Height5-9
ClassFreshman
HometownTucson, Arizona
Previous SchoolSalpointe Catholic High School

Personal

  • Parents and Valerie and Greg Mares
  • Mom played at Eastern New Mexico
  • Has two siblings
  • Majoring in biology

Before BYU

  • Three-time Arizona 4A state champion (2023, 2022, 2021) 
  • Three-time 4A region champion (2023, 2022, 2021)
  • Two-time Region Player of the Year (2023, 2022)
  • 2023 PGF All-American, MaxPreps First Team All-American
  • 2023 First Team All-Conference, All-Region
  • 2022 MaxPreps Second Team All-American
  • 2022 First Team All-Conference, All-Region
  • Graduated with a 4.2 GPA
  • Member of the National Honor Society
Hailey Morrow comes home to cheering BYU softball after hitting home run against Iowa State on April 20, 2024
Softball

2024 BYU Softball Season Review

In its inaugural campaign as members of the Big 12 Conference, BYU softball picked up a program-high three Top 10 wins and finished sixth in the league, earning a first-round bye at the Big 12 Championship.

No. 6-seed BYU softball celebrates after upset win over No. 3-seed Oklahoma State in the 2024 Big 12 Championship on May 9, 2024
Softball

No. 6-seed BYU to play No. 2-seed Oklahoma in Big 12 Championship semifinal

BYU softball advanced to the semifinal of the Big 12 Championship after beating No. 3-seed Oklahoma State, 7-2 and gets set to face No. 2-seed Oklahoma on Friday night.

Huntyr Ava comes home after 3-run homer during game two at Kansas on May 3, 2024
Softball

BYU beats Kansas in five innings, 12-2

A seven-run second inning helped BYU softball beat Kansas in five innings, 12-2 on Friday night.

Lauren Flanders at first base during game against Baylor on April 25, 2024
Softball

BYU concludes regular season at Kansas

BYU softball wraps up its regular season slate with a three-game series at Kansas.

Ailana Agbayani snags liner at short during game three against Baylor on April 26, 2024
Softball

BYU visits Idaho State on Tuesday afternoon

BYU softball heads to Pocatello for a single game at Idaho State on Tuesday afternoon.

Softball

Cougars drop series opener to Bears, 8-7

Violent Zavodnik and Huntry Ava homered in the 8-7 setback to the Bears.

Huntyr Ava and Ailana Agbayani high-five after final out against Idaho State on April 16, 2024
Softball

BYU welcomes Iowa State for three-game set

BYU softball hosts Iowa State in a three-game Big 12 series this week.

Huntyr Ava and Ailana Agbayani high-five after final out against Idaho State on April 16, 2024
Softball

BYU welcomes Iowa State for three-game set

BYU softball hosts Iowa State in a three-game Big 12 series this week.

Keila Kamoku cheers as she rounds second base on Aleia Agbayani's home run at No. 1/2 Oklahoma on April 13, 2024
Softball

BYU hosts Idaho State on Tuesday night

BYU softball's seven-game homestand begins on Tuesday against Idaho State.

Macy Simmons records force out at home plate during series finale at No. 1/2 Oklahoma on April 13, 2024
Softball

Cougars homer twice, fall in series finale at No. 1/2 Sooners, 7-3

BYU softball hit two home runs, but dropped the series finale at No. 1/2 Oklahoma, 7-3 on Saturday.

Huntyr Ava and Maddie Udall hyped after upset win over No. 1/2 Oklahoma on April 12, 2024
Softball

BYU upsets No. 1/2 Oklahoma, 9-4

BYU softball downed No. 1/2 Oklahoma, 9-4 at Love’s Field on Friday night, its second Top 10 win of the season.

Gianna Mares pitches at Utah Valley on April 9, 2024
Softball

BYU visits No. 1/2 Oklahoma in Norman

BYU softball jumps back into Big 12 play this week with a three-game series at No. 1/2 Oklahoma.

Lily Owens prepares for pitch at third base during win at Utah Tech on March 26, 2024
Softball

BYU hosts Houston in three-game Big 12 series

BYU softball welcomes Houston for a three-game set at Gail Miller Field this week.

Hailey Morrow comes home after 3-run homer at Utah Tech on March 26, 2024
Softball

Owens, Morrow homers fuel 9-1 victory over Trailblazers

BYU softball defeated Utah Tech 9-1 at Karl Brooks Field on Tuesday evening, powered by a pair of home runs from Lily Owens and Hailey Morrow.

Ailana Agbayani comes home during game against No. 4/6 Oklahoma State on March 21, 2024
Softball

Cougars fall to No. 4/6 Cowgirls, 3-2

BYU softball's late rally came up short in a 3-2 loss to No. 4/6 Oklahoma State.

Maddie Bejarano high fives Lily Owens after fielder's choice against Utah on March 18, 2024
Softball

BYU hosts No. 4/6 Oklahoma State in Big 12 series

BYU softball looks to snap a four-game losing streak as it resumes Big 12 play with No. 4/6 Oklahoma State.

Tristen Turlington makes off-balance throw for out at Utah on March 18, 2024
Softball

Cougars drop 3-1 contest to Utes

A one run lead wasn't enough for the Cougars as they fell to the Utes, 3-1.

Keila Kamoku cheers after a pitch against Texas Tech on March 9, 2024
Softball

BYU hosts Utah Valley in Monday matchup

BYU softball welcomes cross-town foe Utah Valley to Gail Miller Field on Monday afternoon.

Maddie Udall comes home after hitting go-ahead grand slam in BYU's first Big 12 win over Texas Tech on March 9, 2024
Softball

Udall grand slam lifts BYU over Texas Tech for first Big 12 win

Maddie Udall's sixth-inning grand slam led BYU to its first Big 12 win on Saturday afternoon, 10-8.

Softball

Cougars drop home opener to Red Raiders

BYU softball lost its home and Big 12 opener against Texas Tech on Thursday, 10-5.

Ailana Agbayani check swings vs. UC Santa Barbara during the Capital Classic on March 2, 2024
Softball

BYU opens home slate with inaugural Big 12 series

BYU softball will open up its inaugural Big 12 Conference slate at home this week, welcoming Texas Tech to Gail Miller Field.

Violet Zavodnik comes home after hitting solo home run against UC Santa Barbara in the Capital Classic on March 2, 2024
Softball

Cougars rally to beat Gauchos, 8-3

BYU softball battled to score eight unanswered as it beat UC Santa Barbara 8-3 on its final day of the Capital Classic.

Violet Zavodnik comes home after hitting solo home run against UC Santa Barbara in the Capital Classic on March 2, 2024
Softball

Cougars rally to beat Gauchos, 8-3

BYU softball battled to score eight unanswered as it beat UC Santa Barbara 8-3 on its final day of the Capital Classic.

Violet Zavodnik against UC Riverside during the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic on February 22, 2024
Softball

BYU bats lead to 18-5 win over Bethune-Cookman

BYU softball beat Bethune-Cookman, 18-5 in its Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic opener on Thursday.

Huntyr Ava checks pitch at first base during Paradise Classic game against Nevada
Softball

BYU heads to Tempe for ASU’s Littlewood Classic

BYU softball heads to Tempe with its 5-0 record this week to take part in Arizona State's Littlewood Classic.

Gianna Mares in the pitching circle at the Paradise Classic against Missouri-Kansas City on Saturday, Feb. 10
Softball

Mares and Temples combine to shut out Roos, 3-0

Freshman lefty Gianna Mares pitched six innings of scoreless ball as BYU softball shut out Missouri-Kansas City in game one of a doubleheader on its final day of the Paradise Classic on Saturday.

Maddie Bejarano celebrates after hit in the Paradise Classic against Missouri-Kansas City on February 8, 2024
Softball

Cougars rally to down Roos in 2024 season opener, 17-8

BYU softball overcame an eight-run deficit with 17 unanswered runs to beat Missouri-Kansas City in game one of the Paradise Classic on Thursday.

2024 BYU Softball schedule
Softball

BYU releases 2024 Softball schedule

Along with the Big 12 conference, BYU softball announced its full 2024 schedule on Thursday afternoon.

2024 BYU Softball schedule
Softball

BYU releases 2024 Softball schedule

Along with the Big 12 conference, BYU softball announced its full 2024 schedule on Thursday afternoon.

Softball

Eakin announces signing of transfer Lyndsey Madrigal

Softball

Eakin announces signing of transfers Owens and Agbayani

Softball

Eakin announces signing of pitcher Olivia Laney

Softball

BYU Softball announces 2023 signees