In-State Softball Rivalries Rekindle This Week

PROVO -- The BYU softball team (20-16, 2-2) will host cross-town rival Utah Valley State College (14-21) on Tuesday and then head north to take on its biggest rival of all, University of Utah (20-15-1, 1-3), for a weekend series.

The Cougars and Wolverines will play their fifth overall match at Gail Miller Field at 4 p.m. on Tuesday. BYU has never lost a regular-season home game to UVSC.

"It's become a little bit of a local rivalry," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "We always have good, intense games against UVSC. They're a scrappy team, and we expect tough competition each time we play them."

Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m., BYU will play Mountain West Conference-foe University of Utah in Salt Lake City. The Cougars are looking to add to their 20-15 all-time advantage over the Utes as well as avenge their two losses at Ute Field last season.

"We've had good success over Utah over the last three years," Eakin said. "They have great pitching. I think if we can be patient and get to their pitching, we'll be successful this weekend."

Fans can see BYU in action against UVSC live by purchasing tickets at the ticket office at the entrance of Miller Park. All games this week will be available through live stats.