Kelly Calligan, Assistant Photo Editor

The San Diego State softball team had its hands full coming into Mountain West Conference play.

SDSU kicked off league action against preseason No. 1 BYU, which received three votes in the latest www.espn.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 Poll, in Provo, Utah on Friday.

The Aztecs also were haunted by the memory of a disappointing 5-18 MWC record last year, including seven-straight losses to start conference play.

But SDSU washed its hands of the Cougars and last year’s season with a pair of blowout wins in its season-opening doubleheader in Provo.

The Aztecs (17-8 overall, 2-0 in MWC play) recorded a total of 18 runs and 24 hits in the doubleheader, winning the first game 8-1 before drubbing BYU 10-0.

The sweep against the Cougars (20-12, 2-2 MWC) was also the first since March 30, 2002, and almost left head coach Kathy Van Wyk speechless.

“It’s pretty hard to put into words,” Van Wyk said. “Not only is it a big win, but it’s also on the road, and we made a pretty loud statement. They were huge wins for us.”

SDSU put together its pair of huge victories with a pair of big innings.

In the first game while trailing 1-0, the Aztecs exploded for four runs in the third frame with sophomore designated player Megan McDonald’s two-run double to right center highlighting the action.

“It was huge that we were able to come back when we were down one run because to come back right away is another confidence builder,” Van Wyk said. “(It makes) you feel like you’re in the game, and you don’t start pressing.”

In the second game, SDSU started where it left off, recording five runs in the first inning to effectively end any hopes the Cougars may have had of a comeback.

“Coming (out) and scoring five runs, it felt like it killed their spirits,” McDonald said. “We scored five runs, and it really showed them that we weren’t kidding around and we were ready to play.”

Added Van Wyk: “What (the first inning) did is it took them out of the game. They were already down because of the first game but pounding five more runs in the first inning put them even lower and made it very difficult for them to come back.”

Somewhat lost in the offensive onslaught was the pitching performances churned out by the Aztec hurlers, particularly sophomore Christina Ross.

Ross, whose 1.04 ERA leads all MWC pitchers, didn’t allow an earned run in 10 innings of work, while striking out six and walking just one batter.

For Van Wyk, Ross’ performance and the rest of her pitching staff – which leads the league in ERA with a 2.04 mark – is only the tip of the iceberg.

“I keep telling our pitchers I haven’t seen one of our pitchers pitch as well as they’re capable of all year, and we’ve done as well as we have,” Van Wyk said. “So if they ever come around and start really throwing well we’re going to be unstoppable.”

SDSU was supposed to continue its conference schedule in the Beehive State against Utah in Salt Lake City on Saturday, but a mixture of rain and snow forced the cancellation of both games.

The games will not be made up.