Photos: Arizona softball opens Big 12 play with a 13-1 run-rule win over BYU
The Wildcats answered a lone Cougar run in the first with 11 of their own in the bottom half of the inning, then tacked on two in the second to overwhelm BYU 13-1, March 5, 2026, Tucson, Ariz.
Arizona’s Sydney Stewart comes home to the crowd at the plate after knocking a two-run homer, putting the Wildcats up 11-1 in the first inning against BYU in their Big 12 season opener in Tucson on March 5. Stewart had already plated three RBIs earlier in the first on a double.
Arizona runner Addison Duke (66) slips into home, well ahead of the throw, scoring on a Regan Shockey infield single that plated two in the first against BYU in their Big 12 season opener, Tucson, Ariz., March 5, 2026.
Arizona second baseman Sereniti Trice (00) makes the pivot as she gets hit by BYU runner Rita Tavita (24) but not in time to complete the double play in the second inning of their Big 12 season opener, Tucson, Ariz., March 5, 2026.
Arizona right fielder Grace Jenkins (8) loses the handle on a deep fly ball to the fence by BYU’s Lily Owens (13), who ended up at third on the miscue to lead off the first in their Big 12 season opener, Tucson, Ariz., March 5, 2026. Owens scored the Cougars only run of the game later.
Arizona runner Addison Duke (66) slips around the late tag from BYU second baseman Danica Acosta (15) on a steal in their Big 12 season opener, Tucson, Ariz., March 5, 2026.
Arizona starting pitcher Jalen Adams deals to BYU in the third inning of their Big 12 season opener, March 5, 2026, at Hillenbrand Stadium. She went four innings with no earned runs in the 13-1 win.
Arizona infielder Tayler Biehl (2) eyes a hopper from BYU batter Maddie Udall-Woolley that turned into a fielder’s choice during the second inning in their Big 12 season opener, March 5, 2026, in Tucson.
Arizona first baseman Kez Lucas (55) celebrates after doubling off BYU Maddie Udall-Woolley on a come-back liner to the circle in their Big 12 season opener on March 5.
Arizona runner Sereniti Trice (00) gestures to the Wildcat dugout after slashing an RBI single in the second that put them up 13-1 on BYU in their Big 12 season opener, Tucson, Ariz., March 5, 2026.
Arizona left fielder Addison Duke (66) gets chased to the track to snare a shot by BYU batter Danica Acosta (15) in the third in their Big 12 season opener, Tucson, Ariz., March 5, 2026.
Arizona third baseman Jenna Sniffen (33) can’t control a slap chopper up the line from BYU batter Miranda Mansfield (22) in the third in their Big 12 season opener, Tucson, Ariz., March 5, 2026. Mansfield ended up at third on two errors on the play.
Arizona batter Jenna Sniffen (33) takes a breath before stepping into the box against BYU in their Big 12 season opener in Tucson on March 5, 2026.
Arizona utility Regan Shockey (25) can’t beat the throw to BYU first baseman Maddie Udall-Woolley (34) on her slapper to the left side during the fourth inning in their Big 12 season opener, Tucson, Ariz., March 5, 2026.
Arizona starting pitcher Jenae Berry (11) comes on in relief to close out the 13-1 run-rule win over BYU in their Big 12 season opener in Tucson on March 5.
Arizona right fielder Grace Jenkins (8) runs down a sinking liner from BYU batter Kaiya Fabela (7) for the first out in Cougar fifth in their Big 12 season opener, Tucson, Ariz., March 5, 2026.
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
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