Softball 4/15/2011 11:20:00 PM SUU Strategic Communication

Thunderbird Softball Splits at Oakland University

ROCHESTER, Mich. - April 15 - Southern Utah couldn't balance its offensive production on Friday afternoon as the Thunderbirds dropped game 1 at Oakland University 2-1 and then came back to post a 6-3 victory in game 2. Both games proved to be very sloppy in the field as the teams combined to commit 14 errors during the afternoon.

Oakland scored first in game 1, capitalizing on a lead-off double to take a 1-0 lead after the first inning. A Darleen Fernandez lead-off single helped Southern Utah tie the game in the second as the senior later came around to score on an RBI single by Nicole Huntsman.

The deadlock only lasted until the bottom of the third inning when Oakland scored its final run of the day on a fielding error by the Thunderbirds, taking the lead 2-1. SUU had runners in scoring position in the top of the fourth and sixth, but couldn't deliver the go-ahead hit as the team left six on base during the contest.

The Thunderbirds bounced back in game 2, coming out with a four-run first inning to take a quick 4-0 lead. Southern Utah made the most of three hits and two Oakland errors in the field as Heather Richardson and Huntsman tallied the RBI in the frame. An RBI double by Haylee Hoch in the second extended the Thunderbird lead to 5-0 with the Grizzlies putting their first run of the game on the board in the bottom of the third.

Two more runs crossed the plate for OU in the bottom of the fifth as a costly error in the field by Southern Utah allowed runners to score from second and third. SUU punctuated its scoring in the top of the seventh when Madison Resley placed an RBI single to left field with the bases loaded to put the score at 7-3.

Heather Black, throwing in relief, finished out the game for the Thunderbirds, retiring the Golden Grizzlies in order in the seventh to record her third save of the season after suffering the loss in game 1. Danielle Axe earned her second consecutive victory of the season after throwing 4.2 innings where she allowed three runs (one earned) on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts.

The two teams are scheduled to finish out the three-game set tomorrow morning with the first pitch to be thrown at 10:00 a.m. (MT) However, spring thunderstorms may cancel the game. Be sure to check for updates at www.suutbirds.com.

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