The Cougars (17-28, 6-12 Big 12) made an early statement with a six-run first inning and batted through the order, matching the most runs scored in an inning this season. BYU pushed its lead to nine because of a four-run fourth to set up for the run-rule opportunity on the Wildcats.

In the midst of the 12-run performance, Shuler had two homers, the second time she had multiple blasts in a contest, and a career-high five runs driven in. BYU out-hit Weber State 13-4 in the win.

On the pitching side,  Gianna Mares  dealt her fifth complete game in the victory Tuesday night and totaled five strikeouts.

Shuler finished 3 for 3 with two home runs and a double while also scoring three runs. Maddie Udall-Woolley, Lexie Bennett and Ilove’a Brittingham all had two hits each for the Cougars.

Gianna Mares improved her record to 8-10 by going five innings and giving up just one earned run while striking out five.

The Cougars got off to a blazing start to the game. BYU batted around the lineup to score six in the inning, tying the most runs in a single frame this season to match a six-run second versus Houston on April 11th. After Danica Acosta and Lily Owens were rewarded back-to-back free passes to lead things off, Shuler slapped a two-RBI double to left center. Udall-Woolley singled and Bre Townsend doubled, followed by sacrifice flies by Tristen Turlington and Acosta to produce four more runs to close the first. Udall-Woolley extended her hit streak to ten games on her base hit.

Shuler tallied her third RBI of the game in the bottom of the second thanks to a deep solo shot launched to center. After that, Bennett used her wheels to beat out an infield single to plate the Cougars’ eighth run in two innings, extended BYU’s lead back to six runs.

After a scoreless third, BYU went ahead by nine in the fourth by way of an Acosta line drive base hit, which plated Miranda Mansfield, and Shuler’s second home run of the night. Shuler’s two-run blast scraped over the right center field wall to give her two multi-HR games this season.

A three-game series against Utah will commence in Salt Lake City on Thursday, April 23 at Dumke Family Softball Field. Live coverage will begin at 5 p.m. MT on ESPN+.

Utah rallies to beat UVU baseball

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah Valley University fell 16-9 to Utah on Tuesday night at Charlie Monfort Field at America First Ballpark. UVU (15-25) was led by Derek Houston’s 3-for-5 performance at the plate, as the Wolverines hit multiple home runs, including Hunter Katschke’s 17th of the season. Utah (21-15) was paced by Jake Long and Zakye Hawkins, who each recorded three RBIs.

Utah Valley tagged Utah starter Sammy Cova for five hits and four runs in the top of the first inning, highlighted by back-to-back home runs from Chipper Beck and former Ute Kaden Carpenter to give UVU a 2-0 lead. The inning continued when Mason Strong singled and advanced to third on Houston’s double. Cooper Brass and Joseph Barnhardt each drove in runs, with Brass beating out an infield single and Barnhardt reaching on an error.

The Utes took the lead with six runs in the second inning and three in the third to move ahead 9-4. Utah Valley responded in the top of the fourth, beginning with a double from DJ Massey, who went 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs while reaching base four times for UVU. Beck drew a walk and later stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Carpenter narrowly missed his second home run of the night, but his sacrifice fly brought in a run to cut the deficit to 9-5.

The Wolverines scored two runs in the top of the sixth on a two-run home run from Katschke, his 17th of the season. He is now one shy of the program’s single-season record of 18, set by Goose Kallunki, Daniel Dickinson  and Burke Camper.

UVU threatened again in the seventh, loading the bases with no outs against Ute reliever Landon Salvesen, prompting a pitching change. Easton Jones entered and recorded the first two outs before Massey singled through the left side to tie the game at 9-9. Massey advanced into scoring position, but Katschke grounded out to end the inning.

The Utes responded with a six-run seventh inning to take a 15-9 lead, then added one more run to secure a 16-9 victory and the season series.

Utah Valley returns to WAC play this weekend at Tarleton State. The three-game series begins Friday with a 5 p.m. MT first pitch in Stephenville on WAC International.

UVU softball takes care of Utah State

Hannah Ortega tossed 3.1 shutout innings of relief and Payge Armendariz drove in three including a two-run homer to lead Utah Valley to a 10-4 come-from-behind over the Utah State Aggies on Tuesday night.

After trailing 4-2 entering the bottom of the fourth, the Wolverines rattled off eight unanswered runs to secure the team’s first-ever season series sweep of the Aggies in a campaign where the teams played more than once.

“Hannah’s been working her butt off, and these last couple of weeks she’s really starting to come into her own,” said head coach Cody Thomson. “Payge always gets hot this time of year. I told her it’s time to get hot, and she came through today.”

Ortega has been the Wolverines’ top arm over the last two weeks dating back to the Abilene Christian series. In six appearances and 14 IP, Ortega has allowed just three ER, good for a 1.50 ERA in that time.

Utah Valley will have a week off before playing its final non-conference game of the regular season on Tuesday, April 28 up on the hilltop against the Utah Utes. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. MT and the game will be streamed on ESPN+.