PROVO, Utah – A game-winning double by Jenna Goar in the bottom of the seventh gave the BYU softball team (17-8) their first conference win over New Mexico State (18-14) at 3-2 Friday at Gail Miller Field.
“You have to take care of business at home,” said BYU head coach Gordon Eakin. “This is a very competitive conference and these girls are the defending champs. We have to defend our home field and I was proud because we did that tonight. We’ve got another challenge ahead of us tomorrow but we need to win every game at home.”
With Jessica Dugas on second base in the bottom of the first, Delaney Willard put one over the fence as the first and only home run of the night. This put the Cougars at a quick lead with two runs on the board.
Tori Almond made an impressive showing in the second inning, pitching three consecutive strikeouts. The sophomore finished with seven Ks.
A BYU error put New Mexico’s Celisha Walker on first base to start the fifth inning. After stealing second base, Walker pushed for third and a long throw allowed her to make it home and gain a run for the Aggies.
After a walk from Almond, BYU allowed New Mexico to fill the bases with two outs left in the top of the fifth. A swing at the ball gave the runner on third confidence to run home. A missed catch at home plate put another run on the board for New Mexico. The Cougars' three errors led to a tied game at 2-2 after five.
With Stacie Toney on second base in the bottom of the seventh, Goar, who entered the game in the top of the sixth, hit the ball deep into center field and off the wall, allowing Toney to round third and make it home to win the game.
BYU and New Mexico State face off again Saturday in a doubleheader beginning at 1:30 p.m. MT. Both games will be televised live on BYUtv.