Muir came up with his tenth save of the season, moving him to fifth place on the all-time MWC list of single-season saves and breaking the BYU record of nine set by Ryan Hancock in 1992. Jared Miller picked up the win. Nacapoy picked up five RBIs, two of which came from a two-run homer.

The game lasted nearly 3 1/2 hours and the Cougars got eight stolen bases and 14 hits and allowed 19 hits with five different pitchers throughout the game. The eight stolen bases ties a MWC record.

"The Rebels have a good offense and we did everything we could to try to extend our lead, but they kept on us," said Law. "We tried to attack them with our speed, and those stolen bases were crucial because it kept them from getting double plays on us."

Cougar outfielder Michael Bowen started the second inning with a two-run homer that just cleared the right-field fence to put BYU up 8-3 for an early lead.

Cougar starting pitcher Nathan Bunch left the game in the third inning with a chest bruise sustained in the second inning, after which the Rebels responded with three runs in the bottom of the third against BYU reliever Sean Amerson.

SOFTBALL: The Cougars (39-15, 12-1) quietly put Colorado State away, 4-1, after an impressive display pitching from BYU sophomore Paige Affleck on Friday at Provo.

"It was a fun game," Affleck said. "Colorado State's lineup was full of talented batters and I just tried to maintain my focus."

Affleck, who pitched her 18th complete game, kept the Rams scoreless until the top of the sixth, when she gave up one run.

Even after a 23-minute sun delay at the end of the third, Affleck stepped back on the mound and continued to work at the Rams' lineup, one player at a time. She remained calm, yet explosive amid the constant CSU dugout banter.

"We coasted a bit through the game but we found the talent to win," BYU head coach Gordon Eakin said. "We will find the motivation in the final game of the series (Saturday)."

The right-hander's effort was matched by a three-run fourth inning that secured a 4-0 lead.

Kristin Delahoussaye got the Cougars started with a leadoff double before the Rams' error brought her home.

In the bottom of the fourth, Stephanie Hopkins stepped up to the plate and chipped a hit right past the first basemen's head. Two batters later, Monica Gonzales blasted a line drive, splitting the left