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Jacquez, Lopez Spark Comeback Win Over BYU

by Utah Athletics
Mar 18, 2024

SALT LAKE CITY – Sophie Jacquez ripped a go-ahead, two-run double in the bottom of the sixth, Mariah Lopez fired seven innings of one-run ball and the University of Utah softball team eliminated a sixth-inning deficit to notch a 3-1 win over the BYU Cougars on Monday evening at Dumke Family Softball Stadium in Salt Lake City.
 
Utah's record improves to 16-11 through 27 games, while the Cougars drop to 16-10.
 
Two excellent pitching performances were the story through five innings, with BYU recording the only run on a Keila Kamoku RBI double in the second. That was all the visitors could get against Lopez, however, who benefitted from an Abby Dayton throw in the first that cut down a runner at the plate. She also wriggled out of a third inning jam, stranding runners on first and third by inducing a pair of lineouts.
 
Through five stanzas, the Utah lineup could manage only one hit off BYU's Gianna Mares, but the Utes came to life in the sixth. A lead-off walk to Hailee White was followed by a Haley Denning bunt hit and an error loaded the bases with nobody out moments later. Dayton plated the home team's first run of the evening with a sacrifice fly and, two batters later, it was Jacquez at the dish with runners on second and third. Utah's designated player worked the count to 1-1, then roped a line drive into right-center that sent both runners across and made the score 3-1.

The Cougars put their lead-off hitter on in the seventh, but Julia Jimenez then snared a line drive and turned it into a double play for the first two outs of the frame. When Aliya Belarde squeezed a popup by the next hitter, the Utes had their second straight win over the team down south.

 
Up Next
Utah's next opportunity will come on Wednesday, when they'll host Boise State at 4 p.m.
 
Season Tickets
Season tickets for the 2024 campaign are now available. Fans can purchase season tickets by calling the Utah ticket office at 801-581-8849 or visit www.utahtickets.com/softball/.
 
Follow the Utes!
Fans can follow along on social media (Twitter: @Utah_Softball |Instagram: @utahsoftball | Facebook: Facebook.com/Utessoftball).

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