BYU softball took to Gail Miller Field last week as part of their series of Blue & White scrimmages before fall play starts on Thursday,.
According to softball coach Gordon Eakin, these games are vital as part of their preparation for the upcoming season.
"It's how we assimilate our new players into our system," he said. "It's an assimilation process, a process of sharpening the team through live competition, and seeing what each player brings in the live competition. [Blue and White games] are essential to preparation."
These games are more casual than regular fall schedule or scrimmage games, giving Eakin a chance to have more what he called "teaching moments."
The team took two huddles with coaching staff during the game.
"In the early part of the game ... we were talking about three early mistakes we made in just the first moment," Eakin said. "My job is to teach, and I can't teach if I can't point out what we're doing right and what we're doing wrong."
Eakin has a motto for his team, "We're only as strong as our weakest link," which was emphasized after Tuesday's game.
"I saw some weak links today that we need to work on, we'll strengthen them up, and we'll consequently be stronger as a team," he said.
On Tuesday, the Cougars played five of their pitchers, including recent transfer addition Hailey Shuler. She pitched for three innings for the Blue team, recording two hits, one run, one walk, and one strikeout.
Pitching has been a vital focus for Eakin and his team in the offseason. "We focus on everything [in the offseason], but having a healthy and effective pitching staff is important to our success," Eakin said after the game.
He elaborated, stating "We've suffered a couple years in a row of unfortunate pitching staff injuries, so we're looking to have a healthy and competitive pitching staff that gives us a chance to win."
Rita Tavita, who was awarded the 2024-2025 Utah Gatorade Player of the Year, also pitched for the Blue team, as well as returned veteran Jade Villegas.
Combined, the two recorded two hits and three strikeouts, all of which belonged to Villegas.
For the White team, Gianna Mares started the game, pitching the longest out of the five featured pitchers. She pitched for 3.2 innings, totaling two hits, two runs, one walk, one home run, and three strikeouts.
Also for the White team, Kaysen Korth put up the best showing out of the five. In for 3.1 innings, she pitched for two hits and four strikeouts.
As for batting, Jaelynn Lambert, Hailey Morrow, and Hailey Shuler recorded hits, with Morrow's being a 2-run home run.
Lily Owens, Miranda Mansfield, Irma Urincho, and Lexi Bennett all had hits as well, with Owens earning the only run for the White team.
After Tuesday's game, Shuler talked about the importance of the scrimmages.
"[Blue & White] helps me to get to know everybody, so when we get into actual games I'm very familiar with people and the way that they play," she said. "I feel like it really just brings us all together and just allows for us to get a little practice in before we have to go and compete against other people."
On Thursday, the team ran a three-team scrimmage, contributing to the scrimmages' casual, teaching nature.
Similar to Tuesday, Korth pitched four strikeouts.
Owens and Kayla Fabela both homered, while Lambert, Morrow, Tavita, and Danica Acosta drew walks.
Pitcher Kate Dahle did not make an appearance in either game last week.
There is one more Blue & White game Tuesday. Softball starts its fall scrimmage schedule on Thursday at home against Snow College at 6:30 p.m.