BYU NewsNet - Softball Splits Series With Utah

The BYU women's softball team endured a roller-coaster of emotions in Salt Lake City as they celebrated an exciting win on Friday, 5-4, followed by a devastating loss on Saturday to their in-state rival, the University of Utah.

Based on how Friday's game began, the ending was unexpected but highly rewarding nonetheless. Despite the rough beginning when the Cougars fell behind the Utes, the Cougars stuck it out and put their all into the game, especially with the turn of events in the seventh inning with two home runs.

"I'm proud of our girls for not giving up when we put ourselves in a deficit situation," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "It has been the hallmark of our team during this conference season."

That is exactly what it takes to have a high-ranked team in the conference: a strong determination to succeed.

On Friday, Daniela Snow nailed three of four hits, and scored the game-winning home run, and Kristin Delahoussaye was successful in furthering the Cougars' offense with a solid shot.

The second inning was rather heartbreaking as the Cougars had bases loaded off a great hit and two walks from Utah's pitching. But it was futile with a base hit caught at third to end the inning.

Despite the rough beginning, the Cougs continued to fight for the win, and in the fourth inning they loaded the bases again. With a throwing error called against the Ute pitcher, Angeline Quiocho was able to score the first Cougar run of the night.

After a pitching change from Gwyn-Trice, who had three perfect innings, a fresh Paige Affleck and the Cougars looked to be in great shape to finish the game strong, defensively.

In the bottom of the sixth, Utah scored a two-run homer which gave them the upper hand in the game with a score of 4-2. Nothing could stop the Cougars as they came right back and scored the runs to put them on top; Delahoussaye, Snow, and Amanda Vance scored the final inning to put the final score at 5-4 in favor of the Cougars.

Although Friday's game ended in a celebratory night for the Cougars, the result was different for BYU at the end of Saturday's game, which involved nine innings of hard-fought softball at Ute Field.