Cougars go 2-0 in doubleheader

LAS VEGAS – McKenzie St. Clair’s four-RBI day led BYU softball to a shutout of both teams in a doubleheader on Friday, 4-0 over Grand Canyon and 8-0 over Boise State.

"It was a great team effort today," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin. "Not only in terms of preparation by the players, but the coaching staff did an excellent job as well."

BYU improves to 6-2 after going 2-0 in the doubleheader. The Cougars had a total of 12 hits on the day. McKenna Bull and Olivia Sanchez split pitching duties, totaling 13 strikeouts.

"Our pitchers did an outstanding job today with two shutouts," BYU pitching coach Pete Meredith said. "We have four shutouts in eight games. Our defense played well and we had timely hits. I'm proud of our effort."

Game one

Bull (4-2) threw nine strikeouts and walked just one in the 4-0 shutout over previously undefeated Grand Canyon (6-1). Libby Sugg and St. Clair both had a pair of RBI each to lead the offense against the Antelopes. Grand Canyon out-hit BYU eight to six but could never push across a run.

After one scoreless inning, the Cougars got on the board. In the top of the second, St. Clair singled to centerfield to bring in Madison Merrell and Ashley Thompson and score the first two runs of the game, making it 2-0 in favor of BYU.

In the top of the third, Sugg drilled a two-run home run over the left field fence to bring in Coco Tauali’i Bond and extend the lead to 4-0.

The two teams were scoreless from the fourth inning until the end of the game. Bull’s strong pitching held the Antelopes to zero runs in the game.

BOX SCORE: BYU vs. Grand Canyon

Game two

For just the second time in her career, freshman Sanchez started in the circle for BYU. She had four strikeouts and allowed just one hit for her second victory, improving to 2-0. Thompson had a great game at bat, getting two hits, three RBI and three runs. The three RBI all came on a home run in the fourth inning. St. Clair and Bond also had a pair of RBI in the win.

BYU and Boise State (0-6) were both scoreless and hitless until the Cougars were up to bat in the bottom of the second. A squeeze bunt from Bond allowed Merrell to slide home, giving BYU its first run. A couple of sacrifice flies from Alexa Strid and Lauren Bell scored two more runs, bringing in Thompson and Bond, respectively.

The fourth run came when the bases were loaded and the Broncos’ pitcher walked Lexi Tarrow, giving her the RBI. The Cougars led 4-0 heading into the third inning.

In the third inning, BYU scored another run after Strid’s second sacrifice fly of the game, which brought in Thompson to push the lead to 5-0.

Thompson homered to centerfield in the top of the fourth to bring in three more runs, extending the Cougars’ lead to 8-0. The Broncos never scored, and the game ended in the fifth inning due to the mercy rule.

BOX SCORE: BYU vs. Boise State

BYU’s last day at the DeMarini Classic is on Saturday. The Cougars will play a doubleheader against Colorado State and Robert Morris at 9 a.m. PST and 11:15 a.m. PST, respectively. Live stats will be available on the schedule page.