PROVO, Utah – The BYU softball team earned the sweep over Pacific after an 11-1 win in game three on Saturday afternoon at Gail Miller Field.

"We played a complete game today," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "Our pitching, defense and offense were all exceptional. Every player is playing a valuable role in each win. If we keep being selfless and fighting for each other, I like what I see."

Game Highlights:

• The Cougars (19-16, 6-1 WCC) jumped to a quick start as they took an early 3-0 lead after one inning with Emilee Erickson leading the way with a double.
• Both teams scored a single run in the second inning. Paulson’s single to center field sent home Taylei Williams for BYU.
• Rylee Jensen’s home run highlighted the third inning as the Cougars scored four runs to extend their advantage to 8-1.
• Marissa Chavez and Jensen recorded RBI’s while Aubrey Paulson stole home to extend BYU’s lead to 11-1 after four innings.

Player Highlights:

• Rylee Jensen: 3-3, 2R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI
• Marissa Chavez: 1-1, 2B, 2 RBI
• Arissa Paulson: 5.0 IP, 0 BB, 4 K

BYU vs. Pacific Game 3 Box

Rylee Jensen led the offense after going 3 for 3, including 3 RBI, one double and a homer. Arissa Paulson earned the win as she tallied four strikeouts and allowed just one run on two hits. 

The Cougars’ bats were swinging early as Jensen singled up the middle on the first pitch of the game. Taylei Williams reached on a walk and an error let Paulson get on base, resulting in the first run of the game for BYU. Emilee Erickson doubled to left field for another run and after back-to-back walks, the Cougars took an early 3-0 lead after one inning.

In the second inning and with runners on first and second, the Tigers (14-25, 0-6 WCC) scored their first run as a single through the left side sent a player across home plate. Paulson answered in the bottom of the inning with an RBI single to center field to extend BYU’s advantage to 4-1.

Lexi Tarrow hit a triple to right field and slid home two batters later, beating a throw to Pacific’s catcher. Jensen followed with a two-run blast down the right field line. Libby Sugg doubled in another run to bring the score to 8-1.

Paulson retired the side in order in the fourth inning. A hit by pitch and walk put runners on first and second for BYU and a single by Marissa Chavez tallied the ninth run. Aubrey Paulson stole home after a botched rundown at second and third and a double from Jensen added one more as the Cougars held an 11-1 lead.

A strikeout and consecutive pop ups closed out the top of the fifth inning and ultimately the game as BYU claimed the sweep in the series.

The Cougars host Utah Valley in the UCCU Crosstown Clash on Tuesday, Apr. 16, at 6 p.m. MDT. The game will be played at Gail Miller Field and will be available on BYUtv Digital.

PROVO, Utah – After eight straight weeks on the road, BYU returns to Gail Miller Field for its home opener against Pacific for a weekend series. 

BYU Game Notes Week 9

The Cougars were scheduled to play Utah State on Tuesday, in Logan but the game was cancelled due to rain. BYU will open its 10-game home stand against Pacific for its second West Coast Conference series with a doubleheader on Friday followed by one game on Saturday. 

BYU beings its weekend series on Friday, April 12, with a doubleheader against Pacific at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. followed by a game on Saturday, April 13 at 1 p.m. MT. The games on Friday will be on BYUtv with the Saturday game on TheW.tv.

BYU Storylines

HOME OPENER. After eight straight weeks and 36 games on the road, the BYU softball team returns home for a weekend series against Pacific. 

NATIONAL ACTIVE LEADER. Libby Sugg is currently No. 2 nationally among active career leaders in RBI with 202. Sugg has tallied 21 so far this season including tying her career-high of five RBI against UTEP.

CHASING THE CHARTS. A handful of BYU softball players are moving up in the BYU all-time record books. Senior Libby Sugg finished the 2018 season ranked No. 2 and No. 3 at BYU in career on-base percentage (.455) and slugging percentage (.700), respectively. She continues to move up in other categories including No. 3 in RBI (202), No. 5 in homers (47) and No. 5 in doubles (42). After this weekend, Arissa Paulson moved into the No. 9 spot for career shutouts (6) and No. 10 in career strikeouts with 210.

BACK-TO-BACK WEEKLY AWARDS. Arissa Paulson was named WCC Pitcher of the Week for the second consecutive week. She won the award last week, when BYU swept the weekly awards. Paulson struck out a career-high 11 batters against Loyola Marymount this past weekend, pitching a complete game, allowing only one run and no walks. This was BYU’s eighth award this season and the second time a BYU player has won back-to-back weekly awards. 

Opponent Outlook

Pacific | April 12-13 | Friday 5 p.m. and 7 p.m., Saturday 1 p.m. | BYUtv, TheW.tv

• Pacific is 14-22 on the season and 0-3 in conference after opening conference play last weekend against San Diego.

• BYU leads the series 17-2 but the Tigers gave BYU its lone loss in conference play last season. 

• Brian Kolze is in his 27th season as the head coach of the Tigers. He holds a 763-700-1 overall record in his 27 seasons.