BYU Softball Team Bows Out of NCAA Tournament Regionals
May 17, 2019, 7:27 PM
BYU Photo
STILLWATER, Okla. – The BYU softball team’s 2019 season came to an end with a loss in the Cougars’ second game of the day on Friday to Tulsa.
After falling to Oklahoma State on Thursday, the Cougars were moved to the elimination side of the double-elimination tournament at the NCAA Regionals.
Game 1
Against Arkansas in the first game of the day, the Cougars started fast and held on for a 6-3 victory.
In the first inning of the Cougars’ game against Razorbacks, BYU started by posting a pair of runs on a two-RBI single by Ari Paulson.
The Cougars added three runs in the third on a solo homer by Rylee Jensen, followed by a runs scored on an error and a fielder’s choice.
Cougs keep on fighting!
We will now face Tulsa to determine who faces OSU tomorrow.#BYUsoftball | #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/WnGMGWXSk9
— BYU Softball (@byusoftball) May 17, 2019
Arkansas came roaring back with three runs of its own in the fifth, but couldn’t catch the Cougars as they scored an insurance run in the sixth and held on to win.
Game 2
As a reward for their victories, the Cougars had to immediately play a second game, this one against Tulsa for the right to go to the regional championship game.
BYU began the game on top after scoring a run in its first turn at bat, but Tulsa responded with two runs in the bottom of the first and never relented the lead to win.
The Golden Hurricanes expanded their lead with three runs in the fourth. BYU cut into the lead and trailed just 6-4 going into the final inning.
We fought hard.
FINAL.
BYU-4 (12 hits, 1 error)
Tulsa- 6 (9 hits, 1 error)
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#BYUsoftball #GoCougs pic.twitter.com/UFJlK0P41c— BYU Softball (@byusoftball) May 18, 2019
The Cougars fought to stay alive in the seventh. Lexi Tarrow walked after a 10-pitch at-bat to put the go-ahead run at the plate, but BYU was unable to convert as they saw their season come to an end.
It was the 15th straight NCAA Tournament appearance for BYU, which also won their 11th consecutive conference title this season. The Cougars finished with a final record of 30-26.
