CATHEDRAL CITY, Calif. – BYU softball could not overcome the strong pitching and hitting of No. 2/3 Washington as it fell 8-0 in the final game of the Mary Nutter Classic on Saturday.

"Washington is a great program and has a great team this year," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "We came out and fought hard, but with a limited roster again this week we were outmatched."

Lacey Millett-Hofstedt’s single and doubles from Lauren Bell and Ashlee Robinson were the only hits for BYU (6-9) off last week’s NFCA National Player of the Week Bryanna Walker of Washington (13-2).

The Cougars threatened early loading the bases in the top of the first with a single from Millett-Hofstedt after two batters were hit by pitches, but they were unable to cross a runner. Washington answered loading the bases in the bottom of the frame and scored one, but McKenna Bull (1-5) forced two grounders to get out of the inning.

After both teams retired the sides in the second, Bell doubled to lead off the third. However, Washington worked out of the inning, getting outs over the next three batters. The Huskies loaded the bases in the bottom of the third and hit four straight singles to score six runs to give them the 7-0 lead.

Carly Duckworth came in for Bull in the bottom of fourth and allowed only one base runner and kept the score 7-0 going into the fifth.

Robinson doubled for the Cougars in the top of the fifth, but the Cougars couldn’t advance her any further. Washington loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth and used a single to cross the game-winning run.

BYU heads to the San Diego Classic next week starting with Thursday’s games against No. 2/3 Tennessee at 1 p.m. PST and San Diego State at 3:30 p.m. PST.

PROVO, Utah – BYU will face two ranked teams in the Mary Nutter Classic beginning Thursday in Cathedral City, Calif.

Mary Nutter Classic
Feb 20-22
Big League Dreams Complex
Cathedral City, Calif.

Virginia
Thursday, Feb 20 at 10 a.m. PST

No. 24 Notre Dame
Thursday, Feb 20 at 12:30 p.m. PST

Oklahoma State
Friday, Feb 21 at 10:30 a.m. PST

Fordham
Friday, Feb 21 at 1 p.m. PST

No. 2/3 Washington
Saturday, Feb 22 at 8 p.m. PST

BYU
The Cougars had a great offensive output last week scoring 34 runs in their five games, but lost their final three games in the Easton Desert Classic. Katie Manuma led the Cougars with a .470 batting average, three doubles, a home run and eight RBIs. Freshman Ashley Thompson also had a great week at the plate going 9-for-11 with scoring six runs to go along with five RBIs. 

Virginia
Virginia has endured a rough start to their season losing all three games they played last week to drop to 1-7 on the year. They are led at the plate by Marcy Bowdren’s .438 batting average to go along with two home runs and five RBIs. She is joined by Madison Labsher and Iyana Hughes as above .300 hitters. In the circle they have started Aimee Chapdelai in all eight of their games. She is 1-7 with an 8.28 ERA and eight strikeouts.

Notre Dame
Notre Dame won twice against former No. 23/25 Lousiville last week in Jacksonville, Fla., to boost themselves to a No. 24 ranking heading into the Mary Nutter Classic. They have been strong from the circle led by senior Laura Winter and sophomore Allie Rhodes. They have allowed 15 runs on the year and only 10 earned. At the plate, Megan Sorlie is hitting .538 in five starts and Emilee Koerner is hitting .435 with four home runs, two doubles and a triple.

Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State went undefeated last week in the UTSA Softball Classic to rebound from a 2-3 opening weekend. They too have been strong in the circle led by senior Simone Freeman’s .067 ERA and 65 strikeouts. Junior Shelby Davis has started the season hitting .487 and five RBIs. In all the Cowgirls have five batters hitting above .300. This will be the third straight year the schools will meet in the Mary Nutter Classic. The last two have ended with a score of 3-2 favoring Oklahmoa State.

Fordham
Fordham has started the year 5-3 with wins over Kansas and Ole Miss. This will be the first ever meeting between BYU and Fordham. Gabby Luety has started every game for the Rams and leads them with a .353 batting average to go along with five RBIs. Michele Daubman has been their primary pitcher in the circle and maintains a 2.40 ERA over 30 innings pitched.

Washington
Washington has been strong all season on their way to being ranked No. 2 by ESPN/ASA poll and No. 3 by the NFCA. They have allowed 11 runs through 10 games to go along with 64 strikouts. Seniors Bryana Walker and Kaitlin Inglesby are their primary options in the circle. All 10 of 13 players that have started a game for the Huskies are hitting above .300. As a team they have scored 94 runs and hit 13 home runs.