BYU upsets No. 1/2 Oklahoma, 9-4

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

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. 2/3 Oregon in 2014.

BOX SCORE

The Cougars (22-18, 5-12 Big 12) out hit 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 surrended 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.

Player Highlights

• Ailana Agbayani: 4-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI
• Keila Kamoku: 2-3, HR, RBI
• Hailey Morrow: 2-3, 2B, RBI
• Gianna Mares: 4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 ER, 1 K
• Kate Dahle (S, 3): 2 IP 3 H, 0 ER

Photos courtesy of Chad Hamilton, The Athletes Media

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.

On Deck
The rubber match between the Cougars and Sooners is scheduled for Saturday, April 3 at 1 p.m. CDT, with streaming through Sooner Vision on ESPN+.