SAN DIEGO, Calif. – In the first game of the San Diego Classic, BYU softball suffered a 2-1 setback to San Diego State.

BYU vs. San Diego State Box Score

The Cougars (6-8, 0-0 WCC), leading 1-0, needed to hold off the Aztecs (9-7, 0-0) in the bottom of the seventh. BYU got one out on the board at the first at bat with a line out to Lexi Tarrow, but a single got San Diego State on base. 

After a walk, SDSU had a runner in scoring position. A two-error play caused trouble for the Cougars as an Aztec player made it home, tying the score 1-1. The following at bat ended the game when San Diego State hit a ball to second base but BYU couldn’t get the ball to home plate fast enough allowing another Aztec run to score, making the final score 2-1.

Tarrow and Emilee Erickson tallied the only Cougar hits of the game, while Rylee Jensen recorded two walks and BYU’s only run of the night. Autumn Moffat gave up no earned runs in the game and struck out three batters.

After two scoreless innings, the Cougars got on the board. Jensen drew her first walk of the night. Taylei Williams followed reaching on a fielder’s choice but Jensen was safe at second after a fielding error by the shortstop. Tarrow advanced all the runners on a bunt, loading the bases. With Libby Sugg at the plate and only one out, a sacrifice fly to left field scored Jensen to give BYU the lead 1-0.

The game continued with neither team scoring until the Aztecs took advantage of the Cougar defensive miscues in the seventh and walked off with the win. 

BYU continues at the San Diego Classic Friday, March 1. At 9 a.m. PT the Cougars take on San Jose State followed by a game against Florida Gulf Coast at 2 p.m. PT. Both games will be played at San Diego State University softball stadium with live stats will be available on the schedule page.

PROVO, Utah – The BYU softball team continues on the road this week to participate in the San Diego Classic co-hosted by the University of San Diego and San Diego State University.

BYU Game Notes Week 4

In 2017, the Cougars went 4-1 at this tournament beating San Diego State, Miami (Ohio), Detroit Mercy and Boston University and falling to McNeese State. 

BYU’s tournament slate will begin with one game on Thursday, Feb. 28 against San Diego State at 5 p.m. PT. The Cougars continue on Friday, March 1 against San Jose State and Florida Gulf Coast at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. PT, respectively. All three games will be played at the San Diego State University Softball Stadium. 

BYU concludes with two games on Saturday, March 2 against Illinois Chicago at 11:30 a.m. and UC Davis at 2 p.m. This will be the second meeting between BYU and UC Davis this season, with the Cougars losing 4-2 at the Boyd Gaming Rebel Classic. The final two games will be played at San Diego Stadium. 

Live stats will be available on the BYU schedule page. 

BYU Storylines

Five-Game tournament. The San Diego Classic is the third of four straight tournaments where BYU will play five games in a weekend. The other tournaments include the Boyd Gaming Rebel Classic, Mary Nutter Classic and the UCLA/Long Beach State Invitational.  

Power at the Plate. BYU captain Libby Sugg returns for her final season at BYU. The two-time captain has been named to the USA Softball College Softball Player of the Year watch list and was named NFCA All-American Third Team after the 2018 season. 

California Connections.  The Cougars last went to the San Diego Classic in 2018 coming away with a 4-1 record. every season since 2008. This is the second weekend in a row that BYU will travel to California and will again make the trip next week for the UCLA and Long Beach State Invitational.

WCC Weekly Awards. Rylee Jensen received WCC Player of the week for the second consecutive time. She tallied her fourth homer of the season as well as two RBI against Nebraska while going 2 for 4 at the plate. Against No. 4 Oklahoma, the Idaho native recorded a double and scored a run in BYU’s win against UCSB. Jensen and Autumn Moffat were named West Coast Conference Softball Player and Pitcher of the Week the previous week after their performance in Las Vegas. 

Opponents Outlook 

San Diego State | Thursday, Feb. 28 | 5 p.m. PT | 

• The Aztecs have compiled a 8-6 record so far this season. They also competed at the Mary Nutter Classic last week finishing with a 2-2 record.

•This is the 53rd meeting between the two teams with BYU having the advantage 28-24.

•Head Coach Kathy Van Wyk enters into her 23th season compiling a 736-504-1 record 

San Jose State | Friday, March 1 | 9 a.m. PT | 

• In 2019, the Flames have a 9-5 overall record. They competed in the Silicon Valley Classic I this past weekend going 4-0. 

• BYU holds the series with a 8-3 record

• Peter Turner is in his 11th season as head coach of the Spartans holding a 323-391 overal record.

Florida Gulf Coast | Friday, March 1 | 2:00 p.m. PT | 

• The Eagles currently have a 7-5 overall record during the 2019 season, including going 1-2 last weekend at the FAU Strike Out Cancer Tournament.

• This will be the second meeting between the two teams, with the Eagles holding the advantage 1-0.

• David Deiros starts his 16th season with the Eagles after building it team from the ground up recording a 612-314-3 overall record. 

Illinois Chicago | Saturday, March 2 | 11:30 a.m. PT | 

• During the 2019 season, the Flames are currently 2-8. Last weekend, UIC went 0-5 at the Hillenbrand Invitational

• UIC went to the NCAA Regionals last season but lost to Kentucky and Michigan

• This will be the fourth meeting between the two teams as BYU holds the series 3-0.

• Lynn Curylo enters her 3rd season leading the Flames compiling an overall record of 74-31

UC Davis | Saturday, March 2 | 2:00 p.m. PT | 

• The Aggies posted a 27-24 overall record during the 2018 season, including going 9-12 in the Big West

• The game in San Diego will be the fifth time the two teams have met and the second of the season. The Aggies beat the Cougars at the Boyd Gaming Rebel Classic two weeks ago 4-2 to tie the series 2-2

• Erin Thorpe starts the 5th season with the Aggies recording a 306-413 overall record.