SUU Softball Takes Series with 6-2 Victory over IPFW

CEDAR CITY, Utah - March 12 - Southern Utah University softball scored runs in all but two innings on Saturday afternoon as the team posted a 6-2 victory over the IPFW Mastodons to take the series 2-1. The victory improves the T-Birds' record to 7-15 overall and 2-1 in league play while IPFW drops to 7-6-1 and 1-2 in the Summit League.

SUU began the game with a two-run double by Darleen Fernandez in the bottom of the first to take an early 2-0 lead and added a third run in the bottom of the second on a two-out RBI single off the bat of Haylee Hoch. Meanwhile, Southern Utah starter Heather Black found her groove early and held IPFW without a hit until the fourth inning.

The Mastodons didn't tally a run until the top of the fifth, using a two-run single to chip into the Thunderbird lead, 3-2. Southern Utah answered in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single, scoring Fernandez from and earlier double.

A two-run home run by Nicole Huntsman in the bottom of the sixth capped the scoring for both teams. IPFW had the bases loaded with only one out in the top of the seventh, but an interference by a Mastodon runner and pop out ended the game in favor of the T-Birds, 6-2.

Black earned her second pitching victory of the series after throwing 7.0 innings and allowing two runs on five hits with four walks and one strikeout. Courtney Cronin was given the loss after giving up six runs on nine hits with one walk and three strikeouts.

Southern Utah will continue Summit League play next weekend when the Thunderbirds host the Fighting Leathernecks of Western Illinois University. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Friday with the first pitch scheduled for 1:00 p.m. with the series finale set for Saturday at Noon.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

#7 Heather Black: P; 5' 10"; Junior

#9 Darleen Fernandez: INF/OF; 5' 4"; Senior

#15 Haylee Hoch: 3B; 5' 9"; Junior

#13 Nicole Huntsman: 1B; 5' 6"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#7 Heather Black
: 5' 10"; Junior
: P

#9 Darleen Fernandez
: 5' 4"; Senior
: INF/OF

#15 Haylee Hoch
: 5' 9"; Junior
: 3B

#13 Nicole Huntsman
: 5' 6"; Sophomore
: 1B