Louisiana Series Ends in Split

RUSTON, La. - The BYU softball team took its series against Louisiana Tech 2-1 after losing 6-4 in game one and winning 5-1 in game two of a doubleheader on Saturday.

With two series against Western Athletic Conference teams to play now, BYU is 30-13 overall and 9-4 in conference, good for third place.

In game one, the Cougars held a 1-0 lead through before the wheels came off in the fifth when BYU gave up all six of Louisiana Tech's runs on a collection of walks, singles, and three fielding errors.

Down in a 6-1 hole, Ashlee Brawley led off the sixth with her first career home run, a solo shot over the left field fence. 

BYU scored two more runs on a single by Jessica Dugas that scored Krista Hicks who had reached on an error and a double by Delaney Willard that scored Dugas.

Brawley reached first base on an error in the seventh, but the comeback attempt fell short.

Brawley had two hits, including the home run, with a run, an RBI and a walk. Willard went 2 for 3 with a walk and an RBI.

Game Two

Katie Manuma followed up a two-hit game one by getting two more in the second as BYU bounced back to win game three.

Louisiana native Hannah Howell won her second game in as many days over the Lady Techsters, following a 1-hitter on Friday with a four-strikeout complete game.

Senior Krista Hicks hit her first home run of the season late in the game and JC Clayton went 3 for 4 for BYU.

Following a Dugas single and a stolen base, Willard hit an RBI single to right field for the game's first run in the top of the first. BYU collected two more in the third, hitting three straight singles to load the bases before a fourth single by Manuma brought in a run. Alexandra Hudson's groundout scored another, taking the score to 3-0.

Louisiana Tech loaded the bases with no outs in the sixth, but Howell answered back with three consecutive outs, the second a sac fly that scored one run, to preserve BYU's lead.

Two more runs by the Cougars in the final inning, one from the Hicks home run and another by Bailie Hicken, helped BYU close out the win.

BYU will host its final home series this weekend when the Cougars play San Jose State on Friday and Saturday. Fireworks are planned following Friday night's contest while Saturday will be Senior Day for five Cougars.