BYU Records Sweep Over Southern Utah

CEDAR CITY -- Rebounding from a 1-3 performance at the Red Desert Classic last weekend, the BYU softball team swept Southern Utah in two games, 8-0 and 10-4, Friday afternoon in Cedar City, Utah.

In game one, the Cougars benefited from pitcher Maryon Dewitt's second shutout performance of the season to claim the 8-0 win. Dewitt (3-2) struck out six and allowed just five hits in seven innings, while teammates Brooke Cadiente and Jackie Ellis each homered to lead the offensive assault. The team's home run leader with two, Cadiente finished with three RBI while Ellis and first baseman Mindy Hanson each batted in a pair of runs.

The Thunderbirds came out seeking revenge in the second game, jumping out to an early 4-0 lead and forcing pitcher Lindsay Jones out of the game after the first inning. BYU answered back, however, scoring in each successive inning for the 10-4 win. Meghann Pricer (4-3) pitched six scoreless innings in relief to get the win, while two more Cougars, Angie Christiansen and Julie Wallace, went deep for home runs. Wallace knocked in four runs in the game, and Christiansen drove in three.

"We hit the ball really well today," said BYU head coach Mary Kay Amicone. "They played us tough and were a really scrappy team and we knew we really needed to hit the ball. Our pitching was great as well."

As far as offensive power, BYU had hit just one home run as a team this season headed into the

weekend, but hit four against the Thunderbirds to lift its season total to five. BYU's 12 hits in the second game was also its second-highest single game total of the season.

The Cougars improved its record to 7-6, while the Thunderbirds fell to 0-12. BYU next takes the field next Saturday at third-ranked Arizona.