BYU swept Saint Mary’s in a 4-game series by defeating them in its doubleheader Saturday. This secured the Cougars the Pacific Coast Softball Conference championship, earning their ninth-straight postseason bid at Gail Miller Field Saturday.
The Cougars are currently 32-23 overall, and 19-5 in the PCSC, and were up against the Gaels who now fall at 20-30 overall and 11-12 in the conference.
BYU was led in Saturday’s doubleheader by senior Alexandra Hudson Shamo who went 3-for-5 with 4 RBIs, as well as junior Katie Manuma who went 5-for-5 with 2 RBIs.
Freshman Coco Tauali’i hit a two-out walk-off single in the first game of this doubleheader to give BYU a 7-6 win and its second straight walk-off win against Saint Mary’s. In the bottom of the seventh inning, senior JC Clayton reached first on an error. Consecutive singles from Gordy Bravo and Katie Manuma loaded the bases and completed the runs. Tauali’i’s final single up the middle helped the Cougars walk-off with a 7-6 victory in the game.
The second and final game of the series was led by pitcher Tori Almond who pitched a complete game no-hitter. This was the first no-hitter of her career and 15th in the history of BYU softball.
Clayton started out the second game with a single and then stole second base. This was her 300th career hit, and the stolen base put her in a tie for first place in career stolen bases with 46.
The final game ended in a 4-1 victory for the Cougars. The game was followed by a short ceremony honoring the seniors on the team Hannah Howell, Clayton, Bailie Hicken and Shamo.
“It’s a bittersweet day because it’s a day that we honor these four tremendous young ladies for their contributions made to BYU, BYU softball, this team, our community, and the way they’ve represented their families,” BYU coach Gordon Eakin said regarding the four seniors. “It’s been a privilege and an honor to coach them, and to have them part of this program.”
The cougars will play again on Saturday, May 11, against Utah in the Deseret First Duel. The game is scheduled to commence at 1:30 p.m. in Provo at the Gail Miller Field.
