BYU softball was defeated by No. 13/14 Arizona, 8-0, in five innings during the second game of their three-game series at Hillenbrand Stadium in Tucson on Friday afternoon.
The Cougars, who now have a record of 5-16 overall and 0-2 in Big 12 play, managed to get the leadoff runner on base in four out of five innings but were unable to bring any runners home, leaving seven stranded over the course of the game.
Lily Owens led BYU with two hits in three at-bats. Danica Acosta also reached base twice, going 1-for-1 with a walk. Owens started the game with a single into center field and stole second base during the next at-bat but struck out twice and grounded out later in the inning.
Arizona scored first in the bottom of the opening frame on an infield single followed by a double to left-center, taking a 1-0 lead after one inning. In the top of the second, BYU put two runners in scoring position following a single from Hailey Morrow and a ten-pitch walk by Acosta before Maddie Udall-Woolley’s sacrifice bunt. However, two groundouts ended the inning without a run for BYU.
In the third inning, Owens singled again and Rita Tavita added another hit off the left-center wall to give BYU runners on first and third with one out. Despite this opportunity, Arizona retired the side without allowing a run.
Arizona responded by batting around in their half of the third inning, adding six runs on five hits and two walks to extend their lead to 7-0. The Cougars again had two runners aboard in the fourth after Acosta singled and Udall-Woolley walked but could not score as Arizona got out of trouble with a strikeout and two fly outs.
The Wildcats added another run in their half of the fourth on a walk, stolen base, and single to move ahead 8-0. BYU was retired quickly for the first time all game in their final at-bat as Arizona closed out both the contest and clinched the series win.
BYU will attempt to avoid a sweep when they face Arizona again on Saturday afternoon at noon Mountain Time. The game will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
