By Kinohi Manning
It has taken a few games, but the BYU softball team may have finally brought itself together – winning all but one game of this weekend”s University of San Diego Tournament.
The Cougars beat Northern Iowa 7-1 and Portland State 7-2, before being shut out by Boston College 2-0 Friday. Saturday, they beat Tulsa 9-0 and San Diego 13-3.
In the first game of the day, BYU gave Iowa a powerful demonstration of its hitting skills.
Starting with an early lead in the first inning with RBI”s from junior Elizabeth Pierce-Boydston, sophomore Brooke Cadiente and senior Mindy Hanson, BYU charged into the second inning with confidence.
Senior Angie Christiansen tripled and scored on an error by Iowa”s left fielder and junior Liz Smith scored a run to top the game off.
Portland State was a harder win, with the score 2-1 starting the seventh inning favoring Portland State.
The Cougars faced the challenge and scored six runs to lock up the win.
While BYU freshman Oli Keohohou did not hit her standard home run, she did manage a two-run triple. Cadiente also scored a triple for the Cougars.
Changing the tides like they did in the Portland game is not common for the Cougars.
BYU lost several games this season because it was unable to make a final inning comeback.
“Being behind going into the seventh is a situation we need to learn to come through on and we did a good job of hanging in there and getting the win,” said BYU coach Mary Kay Amicone, “The Portland State game was a great win for us.”
BYU”s only loss was against Boston College when the one thing the Cougars couldn”t control entered the game – rain.
The only hit by a Cougar was Cadiente”s.
Saturday brought BYU more hits and scores, with a shutout against Tulsa.
With fast, accurate pitches, BYU pitcher Maryon DeWitt-Wallentine threw a one-hitter.
BYU offensive was also strong, in the first inning Pierce-Boydston had a RBI-single, the fifth produced two runs from a double by senior Tracy Farley, and Keohohou wrapped it up in the sixth when with an impressive hit into left field.
In the second game of the day, tournament host San Diego jumped out to an early lead, but just like Northern Iowa”s game Friday, BYU obliterated the lead.
Scoring one run in the third inning on a solo home run by Keohohou, BYU gained the confidence to rip open the lead in the eight with 10 runs, ending any hopes San Diego had of making a come back.
BYU”s record advances to 11-13. Next weekend the Cougars return to California for the Sacramento State Capital Classic.
