PROVO, Utah – The BYU softball team held Southern Utah scoreless on Wednesday evening, earning a 5-0 win at Gail Miller Field.

"It was good to get a win today, especially on the last day of finals," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "Final exams can be mentally draining, however we played a solid game defensively, Arissa pitched well and we got timely hitting."

Game Highlights:

• Lexi Tarrow’s single to left field in the second gave BYU its first run of the game.
• A sacrifice fly by Taylei Williams and an RBI by Rylee Jensen extended the Cougars’ lead to 3-0 after five.
• RBIs by Olivia Sanchez and Marissa Chavez scored the final two runs of the game.
• Arissa Paulson retired 13 in a row to finish the game. 

Player Highlights:

• Lexi Tarrow: 2-3, 1 2B, 1 RBI
• Rylee Jensen: 2-3, 1 RBI
• Arissa Paulson: W (10-8), 7.0 IP, 2 BB, 5 K

BYU vs. SUU Box Score

Arissa Paulson struck out five batters and only allowed two hits in a complete game shutout. For the Cougars (21-20, 5-1 WCC), five different batters (Rylee Jensen, Taylei Williams, Olivia Sanchez, Marissa Chavez and Lexi Tarrow) recorded an RBI to give BYU the victory.

The Thunderbirds (5-29, 2-6 Big Sky) recorded the first hits of the game, tallying two through the top of the second inning, but didn't score. Paulson singled to left before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt. Tarrow singled to left field for an RBI and the first run of the game.

In the bottom of the fifth and with runners on first and second, the Cougars scored a run on an RBI single by Jensen and a sacrifice fly by Williams to extend BYU’s lead to 3-0.

The Cougars added to their lead as Olivia Sanchez recorded a single to bring Aubrielle Paulson back home. Chavez added a sacrifice fly as BYU held a 5-0 advantage after six innings.

Arissa Paulson retired 13 in a row, starting in the third inning to finish off the game from the circle. 

The Cougars host a doubleheader against West Coast Conference foe San Diego on Friday, Apr. 26, at 5 and 7 p.m. MDT. The games will be played at Gail Miller Field and broadcast on BYUtv.

PROVO, Utah – Following a week off from West Coast Conference competition, BYU softball plays one more non-conference game against Southern Utah before a weekend WCC series against San Diego this week. 

BYU Game Notes

On Wednesday, the Thunderbirds travel to Provo for their second game this season against the Cougars. The game will being at 6 p.m. MT with a live stream on BYUtv.  

Then, BYU will play the Toreros in a doubleheader on Friday followed by one game on Saturday. The games on Friday are slated for 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. with the Saturday game beginning at 1 p.m. All three games will be broadcast live on BYUtv. 

BYU Storylines

THIRD CONFERENCE SERIES. After a week off from West Coast Conference play, BYU returns home for its third conference series against San Diego. The Cougars are currently 5-1 in conference play after sweeping Pacific. 

NATIONAL ACTIVE LEADER. Libby Sugg is currently No. 2 nationally among active career leaders in RBI with 204. Sugg has tallied 23 so far this season including tying her career-high of five RBI against UTEP. She is also No. 9 nationally in career homers (47), No. 11 in total bases (385) and No. 25 in doubles (42).

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. 2 in doubles (45), No. 3 in RBI (204), No. 5 in homers (47) and No. 5 in walks (101). Arissa Paulson moved into the No. 9 spot for career shutouts (6) and No. 10 in complete games (25) in career strikeouts with 235.

NATIONAL PLAYER OF THE WEEK. Rylee Jensen was named the Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association on April 16. She also earned her fourth WCC Player of the Week award after her performance in the sweep of Pacific. The starting left fielder batted .900 through three games over the weekend totaling nine hits, five runs, four RBI as well as a homer, a triple and a double.

Opponent Outlook

Southern Utah | Wednesday, April 24 | 6 p.m. MDT | BYUtv Digital

• The Thunderbirds currently have a 3-20 record with a 1-2 record in the Big Sky Conference 

• Earlier this season, the Cougars traveled to Cedar City and came away with a 14-3 win. BYU still holds the series 55-7. 

•Head Coach Kortny Hall begins her first season as the Thunderbirds head coach after five seasons as the head coach at Southern Virginia University. 

San Diego | Friday, April 26 at 5 p.m. & 7 p.m.; Saturday, April 27 at 1 p.m. | BYUtv

• The Toreros currently have a 19-21 record and are 3-3 in conference after falling to LMU two weeks ago

• This will be the 27th meeting between the two teams with the Cougars holding the advantage at 22-5 after sweeping San Diego last season. 

• Head Coach Melissa McElvain enters her 18th season as the Toreros head coach with an overall record of 380-497.