BYU softball heads to Las Vegas for Desert Classic

PROVO, Utah – For its second tournament of the season, BYU softball will head down to Las Vegas to compete in the Wilson/DeMarini Desert Classic Thursday through Saturday at UNLV's Eller Media Stadium.

The Cougars (2-3) look to improve upon their showing in last week's Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Arizona. BYU came away with two wins–a walkoff season-opening victory over Virginia and a 2-0 defensive performance against New Mexico.

Sophomore catcher Sydney Broderick had her first-career multi-home run game in the 9-8 setback to San Jose State. She hit two home runs and collected four RBI. Senior outfielder Lacey Hofstedt is currently batting .429 with a five-game hitting streak. From the circle sophomore pitcher McKenna Bull came away from the tournament with a 2-1 record while recording a 3.10 ERA and 23 strikeouts in 20.1 innings.

The schedule with links to live stats is available on the BYU softball schedule page. Scores and results will be available daily.

HAWAI’I (Thurs. 4:30 p.m. PST)

Hawai’i entered the 2015 season with a 3-2 start at the Oceanic Time Warner Cable Paradise Classic in Honolulu. Hawai’i picked up a win over No. 25 DePaul and two victories over Saint Mary’s. Leading the team in hitting is Leisha Li`ili`i (.333 avg., 2 RBI, .429 OBP). Pitcher Kanani Aina Cabrales has a 2-0 record with a 2.39 ERA while allowing opposing hitters a .231 batting average.

NORTHWESTERN (Fri. 11:15 a.m. PST)

After starting the season with wins over North Carolina and UC Santa Barbara, Northwestern fell in its final three contests of the Kajikawa Classic. The Wildcats dropped close games to Texas and California, 5-4 and 5-2, respectively. Andrea DiPrima (.364 avg., 1 HR, 5 RBI, .727 slugging pct., .611 OBP) and Andrea Filler (.333 avg., 1 HR, 5 RBI, .667 slugging pct.) lead the team at the plate this season. From the circle Amy Letourneau is 1-2 with a 4.75 ERA while allowing a .219 opponent batting average. Northwestern last faced BYU in the NCAA regional tournament in 2014, eliminating the Cougars from the postseason.

UNLV (Fri. 3:45 p.m. PST)

Former Mountain West Conference foe UNLV brings a 3-2 record into the second week of the season. The Rebels  picked up wins over Louisville, UC Davis and CSU Bakersfield while falling to Washington and Minnesota. 

UTEP (Sat. 9 a.m. PST)

Following an 0-5 start, UTEP looks to turn its season around in Las Vegas. The Miners dropped one-run games to San Diego, Portland State and UC Santa Barbara while falling to Virginia and Stanford each in five innings. The team is led by Tahla Wade (.444 avg., .500 slugging pct., 2 stolen bases), Erica Chasco (.444 avg., .545 OBP) and Kiki Pepi (.429 avg., .579 OBP). 

Cal STATE FULLERTON (Sat. 11:15 a.m. PST)

In 2015 Cal State Fullerton began 4-1 with wins over Purdue, Idaho State, No. 21 Notre Dame and Northwestern State with its lone loss coming in its second game against the Irish. The Titans are led by Missy Taukeiaho (.563 avg., 3 HR, 4 RBI) and Courtney Rodriguez (.467 avg., 7 RBI). Jasmine Antunez (1-1, 4.22 ERA, 6 SO), Chris Washington (1-0, 5.14ERA, 5 SO) and Desiree Ybarra (2-0, 7.71ERA, 6 SO) have all split time from the circle so far this season. Cal State Fullerton broke into the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Poll on Feb. 10 at No. 25 in the nation.