The BYU Cougars shook off the dust of the offseason.
In its first exhibition game, BYU shut out Weber State 14-0, putting together a dominant offensive and defensive performance from the first inning to the last.
Throughout the game, Weber State remained scoreless against the Cougars’ pitching and defense.
Left-handed pitcher Gianna Mares started BYU off with three consecutive strikeouts in the top of the first inning, setting the tone for an unforgettable start.
At the plate in the bottom of the first, each of the first three Cougars reached base and eventually came around to score. BYU added three runs in the inning, with RBIs from Hailey Shuler and Danzee Bradshaw.
“This is absolutely crazy,” Bradshaw said after the win. “It’s literally such a dream come true.”
Bradshaw, a freshman from Beaver, Utah, was a three-time first-team all-state selection in high school and a two-time Utah state runner-up. She also led Region 18 in batting average and on-base percentage.
After a successful high school career, Bradshaw came to BYU prepared to contribute on both sides of the ball.
“Growing up, this was just seriously a dream, so the fact that it is actually happening is crazy, but it’s super fun,” she said.
At the end of the first inning, the Cougars led 3-0. It was only the beginning.
The second inning followed with another scoreless frame for Weber State, while BYU added three more runs to extend its lead to 6-0.
Weber State continued to fight back, but BYU’s offense continued to build momentum.
In the bottom of the third inning, Tessa Cowsill sent the softball over the back fence for BYU’s first home run of the 2026-27 season. Bradshaw, who was already on base, scored on the home run, bringing the score to 8-0 heading into the fourth inning.
In the fourth inning, BYU brought right-handed pitcher Rita Tavita into the game. The pitching change did little to slow the Cougars’ momentum as BYU continued to widen the gap.
As the game approached its final innings, BYU continued to add to its lead. The Cougars scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning, bringing the final score to 14-0.
Because the game was an exhibition matchup, the mercy rule did not apply.
The dominant opening performance gives the Cougars momentum as they look toward the beginning of the regular season. While the team will continue to improve, Bradshaw said BYU’s focus will remain on enjoying the game and playing its style of softball.
BYU will face Idaho State on Friday at Gail Miller Field. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. MDT.