Season Opens At T-bird Classic

PROVO -- The BYU women's softball team will open up the 2003 season this weekend at the third annual Thunderbird Classic hosted by Southern Utah University in St. George. The Cougars opened up their season a year ago at the same tournament posting a 3-1 record in four games played.

BYU will play Dixie junior college in an exhibition game Thursday night that will not count against their record as a warm-up before playing against No. 23 Oregon State and Southern Utah on Friday. Last season, the Cougars handed the Beavers their only loss at the tournament with a 4-1 win. The Cougars also defeated the host Thunderbirds 10-1 to open their season last year.

On Saturday, BYU will face Cal-Poly for the first time in the tournament. The Gaels are coming off their fifth losing season in a row and will come in straight from Las Vegas after playing UNLV on Friday. BYU destroyed St. May's 11-4 in thire final game of the Thunderbird Classic last year.

BYU returns two-time All-American Oli Keohohou and 2001 MWC Tournament MVP Brooke Cadiente to the starting line-up this season. Other key returners include shortstop Kate Walker, pitcher Cynthia Fallowfield, and catcher Lauren Watson. BYU added depth to their pitching rotation with senior transfer Mandy Flint from Southern Utah and freshman signee Brooke Boyce.