PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico – A three-run homer in the bottom of the fifth inning proved to be too much for the BYU softball team, as the Cougars gave up a 4-1 lead, losing 5-4 to North Carolina on the final day of the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.
BYU (1-3, 0-0 WCC) went up 4-1 in the top of the fourth inning but a four-run inning for the Tar Heels (1-2, 0-0 ACC) edged the Cougars in the end.
Taylei Williams went 2 for 3 at the plate, recording a double and a run. Rylee Jensen went 2 for 4, recording one RBI and one run while Emilee Erickson tallied her first home run of the season.
Jensen and Erickson were named All-Tournament after the game for their performances over the last four games.
The Cougars quickly got on the board in the top of the first inning. Jensen singled up the middle to lead off the game. A sacrifice bunt from Williams advanced Jensen to second before Jensen stole third with Lexi Tarrow at the plate. Tarrow grounded out sending Jensen home making the score 1-0.
The Tar Heels quickly answered back with a run of their own in the bottom of the first. A throwing error sent North Carolina’s Leah Murray to third base followed by a triple put the Tar Heels on the board to tie the game at 1-1.
BYU tacked on two more runs in the top of the second and third frames. Marissa Chavez and Brooke Vander Heide both singled in the second followed by another single from Rylee Jensen scored Chavez to give BYU the lead 2-1. In the third, Erickson sent one over the fence to increase the lead to 3-1.
A double from Williams in the top of the fifth inning led to another Cougars’ run. With Williams on second, Tarrow grounded out to advance Williams to third. Libby Sugg then hit a sacrifice fly out to right field to score Williams and increase BYU’s lead 4-1.
With bases loaded and no outs on the board for the Tar Heels in the bottom of the fifth, Kerisa Viramontes came on in relief. Kiani Ramsey grounded out advancing all runners making the score 4-2. A three-run homer gave North Carolina its first lead of the day 5-4 and ultimately the win.
BYU now heads to the DeMarini Desert Classic in Las Vegas from Feb. 14-16. The Cougars open up the tournament against Fordham on Thurs., Feb. 14 at 1 p.m. PST at Eller Media Stadium.