FRESNO, Calif. – BYU softball split the second day of the Bulldog Classic with a loss to UC Davis 9-4 but held off North Dakota State for a 1-0 win. 

"We struggled today to find the energy necessary to play two games at a high level," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "Autumn Moffat gave us a much-needed lift in game two throwing a 3-hit shutout. The win was a work of art from the circle but an ugly win offensively. But, we will take the win."

Game One

Player Highlights

• Rylee Jensen-McFarland: 2-3, 2R, 1RBI, 2B, HBP

After UC Davis’ pitcher hit back-to-back BYU batters in the first, a sacrifice fly from Martha Epenessa brought Rylee Jensen-McFarland across the plate to give BYU a 1-0 lead.

After a scoreless second inning, UC Davis took the lead putting up two runs in the top of the third frame to make the score 2-1.

The Aggies continued their scoring in the fourth as three runners made it across the plate pushing UC Davis’ lead to 5-1.

In the bottom of the fifth, BYU started to gain momentum. Taylei Williams doubled to center field to lead off the inning. Erin Miklus followed grounding out but moved Williams to third.

Jensen-McFarland put the ball over the centerfielder's head and made it all the way to second base, sending Williams home to make the score 5-2. Another groundout moved Jensen-McFarland to third before Huntyr Ava reached on a throwing error and scored Jensen-McFarland. The Cougars ended the inning with the score at 5-3.

BYU closed the gap in the bottom of the sixth inning putting up one run to make the score 5-4 as Brooke Hill made it home on a throwing error.

UC Davis came out swinging in the top of the seventh inning putting up four runs, pushing its lead to 9-4. The Cougars were unable to score in the bottom of the seventh and fell 9-4. 

Game Two

Player Highlights

• Rylee Jensen-McFarland: 1-3, 1R, 2B
• Marth Epenesa: 2-3, 1RBI
• Autumn Moffat: W (7-3), 7.0 IP, 3H, 0R, 3K

As the leadoff hitter, Jensen-McFarland got BYU moving, smacking a double to left field to get BYU in scoring position. A wild pitch moved her to second and a single from Epenesa brought Jensen-McFarland home as the Cougars went up 1-0.

The BYU defense turned 14 groundouts to keep North Dakota State scoreless in the game and the Cougars finished out with a 1-0 win.  

The Cougars close out the Bulldog Classic with one game against East Carolina at 2:30 p.m.PT. The game will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network.

PROVO, Utah – The BYU softball team will travel to the Bulldog Classic hosted by No. 25 Fresno State in another California nonconference tournament. 

This is the fourth-straight week that the Cougars will travel to the Golden State, but the first to a central California city. BYU will face four teams over three days starting with No. 25 Fresno State on Thursday, March 5 at 6 p.m. PT.  

The following day, Friday, March 6, BYU will take on both UC Davis and North Dakota State at 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., respectively. In the final game, the Cougars will take on East Carolina in a mid-day contest at 2:30 p.m. 

All four games will be played at Fresno State’s home field, Margie Wright Diamond in Fresno, California. The game against the Bulldogs will be broadcast on the Mountain West Network. 

BYU Storylines

NFCA National Player of The Week. Rylee Jensen-McFarland earned her third career NFCA National Player of the Week. The senior outfielder finished the weekend batting .643 with eight RBI and seven runs scored. Jensen-McFarland, who doubled, tripled and launched three home runs, slugged 1.500 and registered a .684 on-base percentage (four walks).

20 Years of BYU Softball. The start of the 2020 season marks the 20th anniversary of the start of BYU softball. February 4, 2000, the Cougars defeated Sacramento State 3-2 in San Jose to start the program off with a win. In the 20 years, BYU has captured 14 conference titles and made 16 appearances in the NCAA tournament. Head coach Gordon Eakin has been part of the BYU softball program since its inception and took over the head coaching duties in 2002.

Home Run Hitters. Over the weekend, the Cougars ranked No. 2 with12 total homers. Freshman Huntyr Ava led the team with five while Rylee Jensen-McFarland followed with three. Martha Epenesa recorded two and HannahJo Peterson and Brooke Hill hit their first career home runs.  

Freshman Power. Freshman Huntyr Ava has quickly become a power hitter for the BYU softball team. Following her performance at the Judi Garman Classic, including five homers and 10 RBI she was nationally ranked as No. 4 in RBI per game (1.42), No. 7 in homers (8) and RBI (27) and No. 16 in home runs per game (0.42).

WCC Player of the Week. For the second-straight week, Rylee Jensen-McFarland earned WCC Player of the Week after her performance at the Judi Garman Classic. It was her 10th career Player of the Week award.

Opponent Outlook

No. 25 Fresno State | Thursday, March 5 | 6 p.m. PT | MW Network

Overall Series: 7-10
Home: 0-0
Away: 3-8
Neutral: 4-2
Under Eakin: 7-8
Longest win Streak: 2, twice
Last win: 7-3, 2/24/18
Longest Losing Streak: 3, twice
Last loss: 6-1, 3/10/17

UC Davis | Friday, March 6 | 11:30 a.m. PT 

Overall Series: 2-2
Home: 0-0
Away: 0-0
Neutral: 2-2
Under Eakin: 2-2
Longest win Streak: 1
Last win: 9-0, 3/16/12
Longest Losing Streak: 1
Last loss: 4-2, 2/15/19

North Dakota State | Friday, March 6 | 2:30 p.m. PT  

Overall Series: 3-4
Home: 1-0
Away: 0-0
Neutral: 2-4
Under Eakin: 3-4
Longest win Streak: 1
Last win: 3-1, 3/23/18
Longest Losing Streak: 2
Last loss: 3-2, 3/31/18

East Carolina | Saturday, March 7 | 2:30 p.m. PT 

Overall Series: 5-0
Home: 0-0
Away: 0-0
Neutral: 5-0
Under Eakin: 5-0
Longest win Streak: 5 
Last win: 6-3, 3/9/18
Longest Losing Streak: --
Last loss: --