Scrappy Play Defeats UC Davis, 9-0

FULLERTON, Calif. - The BYU softball team finished off its second opponent in three games early on Friday, defeating UC Davis 9-0 in six innings at the Judi Garman Classic.

A day after beating Purdue 14-1 in five innings, the Cougars again left no doubt in the result behind a 3 for 4 day at the plate by Carly Duckworth and a combined shutout pitched by Hannah Howell and Tori Almond.

Howell improved to 7-4 on the season in four innings pitched as BYU pushed its record to 15-8.

Duckworth added three RBI and a run, including an RBI-single in a five-run fourth inning for the Cougars and a double to left center in the top of the sixth to score two more runs.

BYU scored its first runs in the top of the opening frame, getting singles from Jessica Dugas and JC Clayton before Delaney Willard hit a double to bring both of the runners in.

Left fielder Tiffany Messerschmidt gunned down an Aggie runner at home trying to score from second to save a run and get the final out of the third inning, then did the same thing again to close out the fourth to prevent another run.

With Messerschmidt and the defense holding strong, the offensive side of BYU's game came alive again in the fourth. Duckworth score the inning's first run on a passed ball after reaching on a lead-off single, then Dugas came in from third on a single by Messerschmidt.

The Cougars loaded the bases later in the inning, scoring one run after Katie Manuma drew a walk, then bringing in another on a fielder's choice. Duckworth then hit her second single of the inning to bring in Willard for the final run of the inning.

Clayton finished with two hits, three runs and a stolen base while Dugas had two hits, two runs and a stolen base and Willard added two hits, two RBI, a run and a walk for the Cougars.

With BYU's final two games of the weekend against No. 13 Arizona and Penn State canceled due to rain, the Cougars will next play on Tuesday, March 20, against Idaho State beginning at 6 p.m. MT. The game will also be broadcast live on BYUtv and BYU Radio.