PROVO, Utah – After five weeks on the road, No. 25 BYU softball will host its first home games this week with doubleheaders against Maine and Wagner on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively.
The Cougars (14-7, 0-0 West Coast Conference) will play Maine (2-7, 0-0 American East) in a doubleheader on Wednesday starting a 4 p.m. MDT. The next day, BYU is back at it with a pair of games against Wagner (1-10, 0-0 Northeast Conference), also starting at 4 p.m. MDT.
The games against the Black Bears will be televised live on BYUtv, while the doubleheader on Thursday against the Seahawks will be on theW.tv. Live stats will be available for both days on the BYU softball schedule page. Fans with tickets to the men's basketball NIT game against UT Arlington at 9 p.m. MDT can get into the softball games on Wednesday for free.
BYU Storylines
- The Cougars went 3-1 at the Fresno State Invitational last week. BYU won its first extra-inning game in an eight-inning thriller at Fresno State. That game saw career highs in hits from both Lauren Bell (4) and Lexi Tarrow (3).
- BYU is still atNo. 25 in this week’s USA Today/NFCA Coaches Top 25. The Cougars have been ranked as high as No. 23, reached back in week 3. This year’s team has been ranked in four weeks of the season, tying the 2010 team for most weeks ranked in a season. They are receiving votes in the ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25.
- For the fourth time this season, BYU softball won WCC Pitcher of the Week, this time with freshman Arissa Paulson earning the nod. She picked up her first career win against Sacramento State on Friday, allowing just one run and five hits in the 7-1 victory. As a team, the Cougars have taken at least one of the weekly awards every week so far in 2017, including sweeps of both player and pitcher ofthe week in weeks two and four.
- With the career records for complete games, shutouts, saves and strikeouts under her belt, McKenna Bull still has a few career marks to reach. She is four wins away from tying Paige Affleck’s 91 career wins. Additionally, she is close to reaching Affleck’s 803.1 career innings pitched. Bull has 768.2 so far. At the plate, Ashley Thompson is moving up career lists herself, currently fifthin stolen bases (38) and thirdin walks (108).
Opponents Outlook
Maine (2-7, 0-0 American East)
- Head coach Angie Churchill is in her second season after leading Maine to a 20-29 record in 2016.
- Before the games on Wednesday, the Black Bears will play a doubleheader at Utah Valley.
- BYU holds the series advantage, winning all three games played between the two programs. The last two were won at the USF Under Armour Showcase in 2013 in Tampa, Florida in a doubleheader matchup.
Wagner (1-10, 0-0 Northeast Conference)
- Just like Maine, Wagner’s head coach Mike Coutts is also in his second season.
- The Seahawks will play a pair at Utah Valley on Wednesday before the matchup with the Cougars on Thursday.
- BYU has played Wagner just once before, winning the game 10-0 in five innings back in 2008 at the Tennessee Classic.