The BYU softball teams’ trouble with pitching gave ample opportunity to Idaho State, who capitalized to win the second of the last 14 games between the teams.
“The game went terrible,” BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. “They scored their first four runs on base on balls; didn’t even have to earn them. We played lethargic, a very disappointing game, and I don’t even know what kind of adjustments to make. It depends on what team shows up to play ball tomorrow.”
Senior Tori Almond had a slow start, walking the first two batters. With a sacrifice bunt, ISU moved its runners to second and third. ISU’s senior Terah Blackwell hit a line drive to bring in two runners and take a 2-0 lead. BYU responded with a home run from freshman Sydney Broderick.
At the top of the second, Almond almost caught a line drive, but the ball broke loose from her glove. The next batter hit the ball in the same spot, but Almond redeemed herself by catching it. Both teams ended the inning without scoring.
Almond pitched her third walk during the third inning. Senior Carly Duckworth caught a line drive, and on the following play, the Cougars turned a pop fly into a double play. With the Cougars at bat, freshman Mckenzie St. Clair doubled to right center, and Duckworth hit a home run to bring in St. Clair for the lead.
Both teams battled a scoreless fourth inning to keep the score 3-2 in favor of the Bengals.
Freshman Mckenna Bull relieved Almond after her fourth walk of the night. ISU put runners on second and third after junior Vicky Galasso hit a line drive to cross a runner and tie the game. Bull threw a wild pitch, giving the Bengals another opportunity to score and take back the lead. BYU’s senior Katie Manuma responded with a home run, tying the game 4-4.
After a scoreless sixth inning, the Bengals’ freshman Kacie Burnett singled, then stole second. Junior Hailey Breakwell doubled to cross Burnett, and then reached home plate herself with a teammate’s single. BYU was unable to respond, despite having loaded the bases. The game ended 6-4 in ISU’s favor with senior Ashlee Robinson’s pop fly.
