Bats come alive in two wins in California

LONG BEACH, Calif. – BYU softball secured its first two wins of the UCLA/Long Beach State Invitational against Robert Morris and Long Beach State, winning 1-0 and 11-6, Thursday morning.

"Arissa Paulson pitched a great game in the first win and Rylee Jensen had a monster day at the plate," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "We are still not firing on all cylinders but we got two good team wins on the road. It was a good day."

In the wins against Robert Morris (3-11, 0-0) and co-host Long Beach State (7-11, 0-0), the Cougars (9-9, 0-0) tallied 20 hits and scored 12 runs. Rylee Jensen went a combined 6 for 8 with four runs, two doubles and one homer.

Game 1

Rylee Jensen scored the lone run of the game, hitting a double and going 2 for 3 at the plate. Libby Sugg tallied the RBI as well as a walk. Arissa Paulson secured her third win of the season, pitching a shutout with nine strikeouts.

BYU vs. Robert Morris Box Score

Jensen singled to center as the leadoff hitter to start the game, followed by Alyssa Podhurcak nailing a ball to right field for her first career base hit advancing Jensen to second. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch from Robert Morris and BYU had players on second and third. A sacrifice fly from Libby Sugg brought Rylee Jensen home to give BYU the lead 1-0.

The Cougars were able to maintain their 1-0 lead through the rest of the game and retired the side in the bottom of the seventh to take the win 1-0.

Game 2

Jensen tallied three runs in the game with four RBI going 4 for 5 at the plate and blasting her fifth homer of the season. Taylei Williams went a perfect 3 for 3 with one run, one RBI and two walks. Arissa Paulson, Martha Epenesa and Olivia Sanchez all went 2 for 4 at the plate with Paulson recording two RBI and Epenesa tallying two runs and one RBI.

BYU vs. Long Beach State Box Score

BYU again put up of the first run of the game in the top of the first inning. With Martha Epenesa on third base, Arissa Paulson singled up the middle to bring Epenesa home, making the score 1-0.

In the top of the second frame, BYU’s bats came alive for a six-run inning. Marissa Chavez, Jensen, Martha Epenesa and Olivia Sanchez all singled and tallied an RBI while Emilee Erickson, Ashley Godfrey, Chavez, Jensen, Williams and Epenesa all made it home to give the Cougars a 7-0 lead at the end of the top of the second.

Jensen sent a ball over the fence in the top of the third making BYU’s edge 8-0. But, the Beach answered back in the bottom of the fourth decreasing the Cougars' lead to 8-4.

BYU continued its scoring streak into the top of the sixth inning as Jensen drove in two runners with a double to left center. Williams followed with a double of her own scoring Jensen to make the score 11-4.

In the bottom of the seventh, Long Beach State tacked on two more runs but were unable to overcome BYU’s lead and the Cougars got their second win of the day 11-6.

BYU continues the weekend tournament Friday, March 8, with games against Ohio and Boston University in Los Angeles. The game against Ohio is set for 11:30 a.m. with the game against BU at 2:00 PT at Easton Stadium. Live stats will be available on the schedule page.