Sugg helps BYU to two wins over UVU

OREM, Utah – Libby Sugg helped the the BYU softball team to two wins against Utah Valley University, 10-1, 6-5, Tuesday afternoon in the UCCU Crosstown Clash.

"It was nice to get two wins today on the road," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "Today our offense, defense and pitching all showed up."

Sugg went 5 for 7 between the two games tallying three runs, four RBI, no strikeouts, one walk and a double in both games. 

Game One

Game 1 Summary 

• BYU scored 10 runs in the game putting up runs in every inning except the first, with four in the second and three in the fifth to end the game after five complete innings due to the NCAA eight-run rule
• In the third, Libby Sugg homered, tallying three RBI as Marissa Chavez and Erin Miklus made it home. 
• Three Cougars scored two runs in the game including Sugg, who scored her 100th career run in the second inning.

Player Highlights

• Libby Sugg: 2-3, 2R, 3 RBI, 1 2B, BB
• Arissa Paulson: W (4-5), 5.0 IP, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
• Ashley Godfrey: 2-4, 2R, 1 RBI

BYU vs. UVU Box Score Game 1

The Wolverines (7-17, 0-0 WAC) scored first, putting up a run in the bottom of the first inning. But, BYU (12-15, 0-0 WCC) quickly answered back in the bottom of the first frame. Emilee Erickson was hit by a pitch to get her to first base and advanced to second as Ashley Godfrey singled through the right side. All runners advanced as Allie Hancock was also hit by a pitch. With the bases loaded, Marissa Chavez dropped a ball into right field to score two runs as BYU took the lead 2-1. 

The Cougars continued their scoring into the top of the third inning. Sugg doubled to right center before Arissa Paulson drew a walk. Erickson advanced all the runners, singling down the right line to load the bases. Godfrey tallied another single, driving in Sugg for her 100th career run at BYU. A fielding error from UVU scored Erickson and Rylee Jensen hit a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Godfrey. 

BYU tacked on another run in the top of the fourth as Williams doubled and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Arissa Paulson recorded her first RBI of the day hitting a sacrifice fly to score Williams making the score 7-1.

A three-run bomb over the fence from Sugg capped the scoring for BYU as the Cougars went up 10 to 1. The Wolverines were unable to overcome the nine run lead and the game ended after the bottom of the fifth inning due to the NCAA eight-run rule. 

Game Two

Game Summary

• BYU scored four runs in the top of the second inning starting with a homer from Rylee Jensen, her sixth of the season. 
• Autumn Moffat earned her sixth win of the season, while Kerisa Viramontes tallied her second save this year. 

Player Highlights

• Libby Sugg: 3-4, 1R, 1 RBI, 2B
• Rylee Jensen: 2-1, 1R, 2 RBI, 1 HR
• Autumn Moffat: W (6-8), 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 K, 0 BB

BYU vs. UVU Box Score Game 2

In the second game, UVU again scored in the bottom of the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. 

The Wolverines held the Cougars scoreless for another inning but BYU quickly got on the board in the top of the fourth. Rylee Jensen homered followed by Marissa Chavez and Martha Epenesa making it home on a single from Sugg and a fielder error. Sugg scored as Olivia Sanchez doubled to center field. BYU finished the inning ahead 4-1. 

A double from Brooke Vander Heide followed by a single from Jensen gave BYU another run in the top of the fourth to put the Cougars lead at 5-1. The Wolverines scored a run of their own to trim the lead to 5-2. 

In the top of the seventh inning, BYU tallied another run as Alyssa Podhurcak grounded out to score Aubrielle Paulson to make the score 6-2. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh a UVU homer started a late rally for the Wolverines. UVU nailed another home run scoring three runs to bring the game within one run. But BYU held on and a pop up to Lexi Tarrow ended the game with BYU taking the win 6-5. 

The Cougars now travel to Texas to play games against UTSA and Texas A&M. BYU will play the Roadrunners, Thursday March 28 at 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. CT and the Aggies on Friday, March 29 at 6 p.m. and Saturday, March 30 at 2 p.m. CT.