SAN JOSE -- Playing in its first game as an NCAA Divison I team, the BYU softball team pulled out a thrilling 3-2 win over Sacramento State in the first day of the San Jose State Early Bird Invitational Friday.

The Hornets (0-1) struck first, scoring in the second inning off an error by Cougar second baseman Jackie Ellis. BYU (1-0) answered back in the fourth inning, when Elis redeemed herself with an RBI single to left to score left fielder Liz Smith. Sacramento State scored again in the fifth to lead 2-1 going into the final inning of play, but with two outs in BYU's final at-bat, first baseman Mindy Hanson ripped a single down the left field line to score teammates Lindsay Hodgen and Jessica Johnson and give BYU a 3-2 edge. Pitcher Meghann Pricer held the Hornets scoreless in the bottom of the seventh to preserve BYU's first victory.

Ricks College transfer Maryon Dewitt got the start for the Cougars, going five innings. Dewitt struck out five while walking three and allowing five hits. Pricer, an Arizona transfer, came in for the final two innings of work to strike out two and allow one hit.

The Cougars were slated to play host San Jose State in game two of the day's doubleheader, but due to darkness, the game was called in the fourth inning with BYU leading 4-3. The game will resume Saturday at 9 a.m. From there, the Cougars will face 12th ranked California before playing San Jose State again in the afternoon.

The BYU softball team will begin its first season as an NCAA Division I softball team in San Jose, Calif., where it will compete in the San Jose State Early Bird Round Robin tournament. The Cougars will take the field first Friday against Sacramento State at 9 a.m. before facing host San Jose State later that day at 3 p.m. Saturday, BYU will play 12th-ranked California before taking on San Jose State again at 11 a.m.

BYU Probable Starters

•C -Angie Christiansen - R/R, Jr. (Utah Valley State College)

•1B - Mindy Hanson - R/R, Jr. (Utah Valley State College)

•2B - Jackie Ellis - R/R, Jr. (U. of Oregon)

•SS - Becca Erickson - R/R, Jr. (Dixie College)

•3B - Tracy Farley - R/R, Jr. (Utah Valley State College)

•RF - Brooke Cadiente - R/L, Fr. (Mountain View HS)

•CF - Liz Smith - L/R, So. (Ricks College)

•LF - Lindsay Hodgen - R/R, Jr. (Utah Valley State College)

Roster Notes

Head coach Mary Kay Amicone has yet to name a starting pitcher for Friday's first game. She has three pitchers to draw from, Maryon Dewitt, Meghann Pricer and Lindsay Jones. Dewitt is a transfer from Ricks College, who pitched her way to a 50-12 record in 411 innings of work, including 21 shutouts, 368 strikeouts and a 1.02 ERA. Pricer comes to BYU from nationally ranked Arizona, where she posted a 2-0 record and a 2.91 ERA with 12 shutouts and six walks in 21.2 innings of work. Jones, an All-American from Utah Valley State College, was recently medically cleared to compete and could get the call to start as well. All three are likely to see action in this weekend's games.

Angie Christiansen, also a transfer from UVSC, will replace Cassie Martin as BYU's starting catcher. Martin, ranked third in the nation at her position by USA Today in 1998, is sidelined by recent ankle surgery and is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks.

Scouting Sacramento State

Sacramento State, a member of the Big West Conference, finished the 1999 season with a 27-26 mark, including a fifth-place 12-12 conference record. The Hornets return 14 players from last year's team, including seven starters, and welcome three transfers and five new freshmen. Sacramento State is led by coach Kathy Strahan, who has compiled a 217-165-2 record while at the helm, including NCAA Regional appearances in 1993 and 1995.

Scouting San Jose State

Host San Jose State finished out the 1999 season with a 13-47 record. The Spartans return all five of last year's pitchers but lost their three top batters. Head coach Connie Miner is 50-71 in three seasons with the Spartans and 319-325-2 in her 12-year coaching career.

Scouting California

California will be the team to beat this weekend, finishing last season with a 51-22 record and fourth-place national ranking. Cal begins the season ranked 12th in the preseason USA Today/NFCA poll. Coach Diane Ninemire has led the Bears to 11 NCAA Tournaments and 3 College World Series in a tough Pac-10 conference.

Preseason Mountain West Conference Coaches' Poll

BYU was picked by the coaches in the Mountain West Conference to finish last in the conference in the preseason poll released Jan. 26. In-state rival University of Utah, where BYU head coach Mary Kay Amicone played and was an assistant coach for seven years, was picked to finish first.

Preseason MWC Softball Poll

1. Utah (3) 23

2. New Mexico (2) 21

3. San Diego State (1) 18

4. UNLV 13

5. Colorado State 10

6. BYU 5

Player/Coach Interviews

Practices are held daily at 3:30 p.m. in the Smith Fieldhouse Annex. Player or Coach Amicone interviews may be arranged in advance through Tricia Garner, BYU Athletic Media Relations, at (801) 378-8999. Additional information may be obtained through e-mailing Tricia at amr-3@byu.edu or by fax at (801) 378-3520.