Softball 3/23/2011 2:32:00 AM SUU Strategic Communication

SUU Softball Takes Early Leads but Falls in Two at Dixie State

ST. GEORGE, Utah - March 22 - Southern Utah scored early in both contests at Dixie State on Tuesday afternoon, but it was the late scoring by the Red Storm that spelled a pair of defeats for the Thunderbirds, 3-1 and 4-3. The losses drop the team to 9-18 on the year while DSC moves to 12-3 with the wins.

SUU bounced back from a pair of first inning strikeouts in game one to record a two-out single and walk, putting runners on first and second. A fielding error by Dixie allowed Haylee Hoch to score from second to give the Thunderbirds the early 1-0 lead. Two batters later the bases were loaded, but a ground ball to second base ending the scoring chance.

The Red Storm came back to tie the game in the bottom of the first as a lead-off walk came around to score on a two-out single. The deadlock was broken in the bottom of the second on a Dixie State home run, giving the home team the 2-1 lead.

Southern Utah had several scoring opportunities over the next two innings, but a lead-off double in the third and loaded bases in the top of the fourth with only one out did not materialize into runs. The Thunderbirds were surrendered in order in the top of the sixth and seventh as the Red Storm added a run on an RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to wrap up the 3-1 decision.

Game two also saw the T-Birds taking an early lead with two runs in the top of the second inning. SUU loaded the bases with no outs as Sami Jo Parry led off the frame being hit by a pitch, followed by a walk drawn by Stephanie DeJesus and a single tallied by Brittany Henderson. The runs crossed the plate on a fielder's choice and walk, but a pair of strikeouts ended the inning.

Dixie State answered with an RBI single in the third and scored on an SUU fielding error in the fourth to tie the game at 2-2. The Red Storm scored two more unearned runs in the top of the sixth, capitalizing on miscues by SUU in the field to break the tie and take a 4-2 lead into the final frame.

The Thunderbirds loaded the bases again in the top of the seventh and with two outs on the board, Henderson was hit by a pitch to bring the game to within one, 4-3. However, the game came to an end on the next at bat as a ground ball to second base ended the game.

Southern Utah will resume its conference schedule this weekend when the Thunderbirds travel to Shreveport, La. to face the Ladies of Centenary College. The teams are scheduled to play a three-game series with a doubleheader set for Friday and the series finale to be played on Saturday.

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