BYU softball downed No. 1/2 Oklahoma, 9-4 in game two of a three-game series at Love’s Field in Norman, Oklahoma, on Friday night.

Although the Sooner won the other two games in the series, the victory marked the Cougars’ first road Big 12 win, second Top 10 win of the season, and was also BYU’s first Top 2 win since it beat No. 2 Tennessee in 2014.

The Cougars (22-18, 5-12 Big 12) outhit the Sooners as they plated a run in all but one of the seven innings, with one run in the first four innings and two in the fifth, closing things out with a three-spot in the seventh inning.

BYU’s 11 hits were the most that Oklahoma has given up since 2021, and just the second time since then that the Sooners have given up double digit hits. It was also OU’s first home Big 12 loss since 2017. Ailana Agbayani’s four-hit night was the most the Sooners have surrendered to a single player since 2020.

Led by two freshmen pitchers, the Cougars’ Gianna Mares and Kate Dahle combined to pitch 6 2/3 innings, surrendering just eight hits and four earned runs in the upset. BYU chased Oklahoma’s starting pitcher after just three innings, one of four Sooners to see the circle in the contest.

BYU jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, with Ailana Agbayani doubling, advancing to third on a wild pitch and coming home to score on a Maddie Bejarano sacrifice fly.

Oklahoma got runners on the corners with two outs in its half of the first, but Hailey Morrow caught a Sooner runner attempting to steal second on a double steal, with Agbayani running her down for the tag.

The Cougars added to their lead in the second inning on a towering solo shot to right field by Keila Kamoku as the second baseman sent the first pitch she saw out for a 2-0 advantage.

In the third, Bejarano drew a leadoff walk on an eight-pitch at bat after being down in the count 0-2. She moved to third on a Violet Zavodnik double, and scored on Lily Owens’ sacrifice fly, making it 3-0, BYU.

The Sooners loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the third, and got an infield single and walk to tally two runs and draw within one, 3-2.

Adding a run back to their lead in the fourth, the Cougars got doubles from both Morrow and Ailana Agbayani to go in front, 4-2.

An OU leadoff single and homer to center field in the home half of the fourth inning then tied the game at 4-4, the last runs that it would score it the game.

BYU regained the lead in the top of the fifth, plating two runs to gain a 6-4 advantage. Tristen Turlington and Huntyr Ava both walked before a Maddie Udall fielder’s choice. During Kamoku’s at bat, Lauren Flanders, pinch running for Turlington, and Udall executed a double steal, scoring Flanders for the two-run lead.

The Sooners got two runners on with a pair of walks in the bottom the fifth, but the Cougars quickly recorded three outs, catching an OU runner attempting to steal third and recording a line out double play from Ailana Agbayani to Ava.

Oklahoma threatened in the bottom of the sixth, getting two on with one out, but relief pitcher Kate Dahle got out of the jam, earning a pop out and fly out to keep BYU in front, 6-4.

Exploding for three runs in the sixth, the Cougars scored off a Sooner throwing error, Aleia Agbayani double off the right center wall and Ailana Agbayani single down the left field line for a 9-4 advantage.

OU got two runners aboard on singles in the bottom of the seventh, but consecutive fly outs sealed BYU’s upset victory.

The Cougars ended up falling 7-3 in the final game of the series on Saturday, although they got a solo home run from Maddie Udall and a two-run jack from Aleia Agbayani.

BYU will now return home and begin a seven-game home stand with a single game against Idaho State on Tuesday, April 16 at 6 p.m. MDT. The contest will be streamed through Big 12 Now on ESPN+.

Cougar men’s volleyball gets No. 3 seed for MPSF tournament

BYU men’s volleyball (16-8, 7-5 MPSF) clinched the No. 3 seed for the 2024 MPSF Tournament.

The MPSF Tournament is hosted at USC this season and will run from Wednesday, April 17 to Saturday, April 20, with the championship game being played at 6 p.m. PDT on April 20. All matches will be streamed on FloVolleyball.

BYU’s opening match in the tournament will be played against six-seeded USC (12-13, 3-8 MPSF) in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. PDT in the Galen Center. Tickets can be purchased online through the USC Athletics website.

BYU baseball loses shootout to Baylor

Despite seven RBI from first baseman Cooper Vest, BYU baseball fell to Baylor in an 18-17 shootout on Saturday afternoon at Miller Park.

The Cougars were down 18-5 before surging back late in the game, combining for 12 runs straight in the final four innings. In a wild game, the two teams combined for 35 runs and 39 hits. Nine Cougars recorded hits, including home runs from third baseman Easton Jones and pinch hitter Parker Goff.

Vest’s seven RBI were good for a single-game career-high while true freshmen Ryker Schow and Crew McChesney each recorded the first two-hit games of their respective careers.

At the bottom of the eighth, Anderson shot a double into right field, and a Jones single ran him in. A home run from Goff brought Jones in, bringing the game within one run heading into the final inning. The late-game fight didn’t prove to be enough as neither team scored in the 9th, ending at 18-17 for Baylor.

The Cougars will be back in action on Monday against Utah Tech at 6 pm MDT at Miller Park. Watch BYU face the Trailblazers on Big 12 Now on ESPN+ or listen live on BYU Radio 107.9/BYU Radip app.

Cougar women’s tennis closes out successful 2024 season with sweep

No. 44 BYU women’s tennis defeated West Virginia 4-0 Saturday afternoon with junior Kendall Kovick clinching the match for the Cougars at the Outdoor Tennis Courts on Senior Day. Today’s victory was BYU’s eighth in Big 12 play in its first season in the conference and its second consecutive win overall.

“This was a huge weekend for us and great way to finish out the regular season,” said head coach Holly Hasler. “Travel in the Big 12 is no joke and the girls have persevered better than I could’ve possibly imagined. The seniors shined today. We will miss their energy and smiles, and can’t wait to see what the future holds for these three amazing young women. As a transfer student from West Virginia, today was a huge mental battle for Kendall (Kovick). For her to take the clinching match was a tender moment that couldn’t have closed out the regular season in a better way. Overall, this team is something special and it’s fun to say, We are not done yet!”

The Cougars with their victory improved to 16-6 overall and 8-5 in the Big 12, recording the most wins in a season since 2007, when BYU won 22 matches.

With the regular season now complete, the Cougars will head to the Big 12 Championships next week in Stillwater, Oklahoma.

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