BYU softball defeated Omaha 9-8 on March 14, wrapping up the Trailblazer Classic at Karl Brooks Field in St. George, Utah.
The game was notable for its high-scoring action and power hitting, as both teams combined for seven home runs. BYU recorded five of those homers and collected 14 hits, tying their season high. The Cougars improved to an overall record of 8-18 after the win.
Bre Townsend led BYU with two home runs and three runs batted in, including a go-ahead two-run homer late in the game that put the Cougars ahead for good. Hailey Morrow also hit two home runs and drove in three runs. Kaiya Fabela added a solo shot, her first of the season. Gianna Mares pitched all seven innings for BYU, allowing eight hits and six earned runs while earning her fifth win of the year.
Omaha took an early lead by scoring a run in the second inning through a combination of singles, a stolen base, and a BYU error. The Cougars responded by scoring in every inning after that point. In the fourth inning, Morrow and Townsend hit back-to-back solo home runs to give BYU a 3-1 lead. Morrow’s second homer came in the fifth inning following an Ilove’a Brittingham single and Rita Tavita sacrifice bunt.
The Mavericks narrowed the gap with a two-run homer in their half of the fifth inning before taking a brief lead with a grand slam in the sixth to go up 7-6. Townsend’s second home run reclaimed the lead for BYU, followed by Fabela’s solo shot to extend it to 9-7 entering the final frame. Omaha managed one more run but could not overcome BYU’s advantage as Brittingham made a sliding catch to secure the victory.
Looking ahead, BYU will resume Big 12 play next week with a three-game series against Oklahoma State starting Thursday, March 19.
