Heading to 2008 Aggie Classic

PROVO -- Coming off two tough losses, the BYU women's softball team (11-7) travels to College Station, Texas, for the 2008 Aggie Classic March 6-8.

BYU is scheduled to play five games, beginning on Thursday with No. 3 Texas A&M at 6 p.m. On Friday the Cougars are slated against Illinois at 12:15 p.m. and the Aggies again at 5:15 p.m. The Cougars face off against Illinois again at 10 a.m. on Saturday, and then No. 22 Louisiana Lafayette at 12:15 p.m.

"We are working on maintaining longer stretches of quality play," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "We need to have solid pitching, good defense and strength at the plates for longer time periods."

The offensive power of BYU hopes to make a return. As a team, they carry a .294 batting average with 21 home runs, hitting at least one home run in 15 of its 18 games.

From the Circle, BYU is led by Senior Christina Gwyn Trice. She maintains a 1.15 ERA and is 5-2 on the season with 88 strike outs. As a team, the Cougars carry a 1.76 ERA.

Thursday's game will mark BYU's fifth all-time meeting with the Texas A&M. The Aggies are 22-3 on the season and have stayed in the top-five of the polls during this season.

The Fighting Illini are the Cougars only unranked opponent at the 2008 Aggie Classic. Illinois is 12-8 on the season. BYU has faced the Fighting Illini five times in the past, coming out on top twice.

Saturday will mark the first meeting between the Cougars and No. 18 Louisiana-Lafayette. The Ragin' Cajuns are 10-3 and have maintained a position in the top-25 all season, floating between No. 16 and No. 24.

Livestats for all five games are available at www.byucougars.com, with video coverage available for both games against Texas A&M.