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PROVO — Libby Sugg slugged a pair of two-run homers to lead the BYU softball team to a 4-3 upset of No. 11 Utah in the lone game of the season between the two teams Wednesday at Gail Miller Field in Provo.
“We played tremendous defense behind McKenna Bull,” BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "And this is Libby's third home run against Utah in two games (dating back to last year), so it seems that she rises up against them. She is a very potent hitter anyways, but she seems to have good nights against Utah.
"Both teams want to win this game. It is an intense rivalry in all sports, and it is an important game to us, to them and to the fans in Utah."
Sugg's first homer gave the Cougars (19-7) a 2-1 lead after three innings.
But Utah (21-5) tied the game on Heather Bowen's single to center field during a two-run fifth.And then, déjà vu.
In the bottom of the inning, Sugg stepped up to the plate and directed a two-run shot over the center-field fence to give the Cougars a 4-2 lead and all the scoring they would need.
"It doesn't matter if they are No. 11 in the country or No. 111 in the country," Eakin said. "The rivalry game is the rivalry game, so it is a huge win. I have immense respect for Utah and their softball program."Bull pitched a complete-game with five strikeouts to lead BYU.
Utah ace Miranda Viramontes exited the game in the third inning with an apparent wrist injury. Katie Donovan pitched the final 3.1 innings with three strikeouts to take the loss.
BYU travels to Los Angeles in a pair of doubleheaders against Dartmouth and UCLA beginning Friday. Utah hosts No. 3 Oregon in a three-game series beginning Saturday in Pac-12 play.
