BYU sweeps games against FIU and New Mexico

LAS VEGAS – BYU softball swept its double header over Florida International and New Mexico, 2-0 and 8-1 on the second day of the Marucci Desert Classic.

“We played well today,” BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. “Our pitching was dominant, giving up just one run in two games.”

Arissa Paulson and Kerisa Viramontes each threw a complete game. Paulson posted eight strikeouts in the first game while Viramontes recorded 11 and allowed just one run in the second.

Both FIU and New Mexico opened the tournament against the Cougars. One hit made the difference in the first game as BYU narrowly edged FIU (2-5) in the morning, 2-0.

In the second game of the day, an offensive outburst gave the Cougars an early lead over New Mexico (1-5, 0-0 Mountain West Conference) en route to an 8-1 win. 

Game one

The Cougars held FIU scoreless throughout the game before scoring their only runs of the game in the bottom of the third. Libby Sugg drove a two-run dinger over the right-center wall as she and Briielle Breland rounded the bases for the 2-0 win.

BYU vs. FIU Box Score

Game two

Against New Mexico, Sugg went 3 for 4 from the plate with one home run and three RBI. Caitlyn Alldredge hit a three-run homer as well. 

BYU got on the board first in the top of the first and maintained its lead throughout the game. Sugg singled to centerfield as Breland came in for an early 1-0 lead. Alldredge sent her three-run shot over the centerfield fence with Sugg and Lexi Tarrow on board to make it 4-0.

In the third inning, Sugg singled up the middle and Breland scored for a second time. Allie Hancock was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, sending Tarrow home for a 6-0 advantage.

New Mexico answered back in the bottom of the third with a home run to centerfield to trim the lead to 6-1.

The Cougars scored two more runs in the top of the seventh for the 8-1 victory. Sugg homered to centerfield and Strid later scored on a Lobo fielding error.

BYU vs. New Mexico Box Score

The Marucci Desert Classic concludes for BYU on Saturday against Long Beach State at 9:00 a.m. PT and Iowa State at 11:15 a.m. PT at Eller Media Stadium. Both games can be streamed on the Mountain West Network. Links to the live stream and live stats will be available on the softball schedule page, while the full tournament schedule can be found on the Marucci Desert Classic website.