Softball 4/24/2011 12:32:00 AM SUU Strategic Communication

SUU Softball Posts Two Come From Behind Victories over IUPUI

CEDAR CITY, Utah - April 23 - Southern Utah University trailed IUPUI on the softball diamond 11-1 in game one and 6-2 in game two, but came back in both games to post victories of 13-12 and 13-6, respectively to take the series over the Jaguars on Saturday afternoon. The wins snap a two-game losing streak and improve the Thunderbirds' record to 22-25 overall and 12-6 in league play.

"We did a great job hitting the ball today," head coach Kyle Magnusson said after the game. "I'm still amazed at that comeback in the first game. I think I've only seen that one other time in my career and the team did a great job to put that together."

The Jaguars were able to build the 11-1 lead in the opening game by virtue of five runs in the first and six runs in the top of the third. SUU starter Heather Black was chased from the mound in the opening frame after giving up five runs on five hits and one walk with only two outs on the board.

Southern Utah's first run came in the home half of the first on an RBI double by Haylee Hoch. The T-Birds continued to chip away at the IUPUI lead with runs in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings.

SUU loaded the bases with two outs in the fourth and opened the four-run frame with a two-run double off the bat of Nicole Huntsman. Another two-run double by Kadi Henderson brought two more runs across the plate two batters later. Runs continued to come in pairs for the T-Birds as Darleen Fernandez crushed a two-run home run over the right field fence in the fourth inning.

In a scarier moment of the game, Huntsman led off the fifth inning for the T-Birds and was hit in the head with a pitch and was treated by SUU medical personal for several minutes. The sophomore left the field on her own power, but did not return to the game or play in game two. That event was followed by a single off the bat of Katie Olinger which would turn into a run as Jenavieve Purcell drove her home from second on an RBI double.

The Jaguars scored their final run in the top of the sixth inning on an RBI double to left, marking the only run surrendered by SUU reliever Kara Bendt as the senior threw 3.1 innings of relief with only five hits, one walk and one strikeout for the eventual victory.

Southern Utah still trailed IUPUI, 12-8, going into the home half of the sixth, but a single by Hoch followed by a second two-run home run by Fernandez trimmed the margin to 12-10. Heather Richardson continued the hitting streak with a single during the next at bat, but was followed by a fly ball and a strikeout that left the T-Birds still two runs short with two outs on the board. Olinger then came to the plate and drew a walk to put runners on first and second and Kadi Henderson made the most of the base runners with the first home run of her career to give Southern Utah the 13-12 lead.

Black reentered the game in the seventh inning and retired the IUPUI side in order on a fly ball, strikeout and ground ball to earn the save.

IUPUI opened the scoring again in game 2, with two runs in the top of the second, but the game was quickly tied in the bottom of the frame on Kadi Henderson's second home run of the day, scoring two to even the game at 2-2. However, The Thunderbirds fell behind again as the Jaguars scored two runs in the top of the fourth and fifth innings to take a 6-2 lead.

SUU then erupted over the final two innings, scoring 11 unanswered runs with six in the bottom of the fifth and five in the bottom of the sixth to cap the home team's run total of 26 on the day. Purcell and Daniels began the fifth with back-to-back singles with Hoch following with a walk to load the bases with no outs. Fernandez then came to the plate and placed a single to center field, scoring two and putting runners on the corners. A fielding miscue by IUPUI scored Hoch from third during the next at bat with the next run crossing the plate on a ground ball to the pitcher. A two-run double by Brittany Henderson capped the scoring for the T-Birds in the fifth.

A pair of one-out hits and a walk loaded the bases for the 'Birds in the bottom of the sixth inning with the first runs crossing the plate on a two-run single by Madison Resley. An RBI double by Kadi Henderson during the next at bat brought the freshman's RBI total to nine on the day. Brittany Henderson cleared the bases one batter later with a two-run triple to right field to punctuate Southern Utah's scoring on the day and give the home team the 13-6 lead.

Black, once again, finished out the game for the T-Birds as she allowed only one hit during the final frame to earn the victory after throwing 3.2 innings of relief where she allowed two runs on six hits with one walk and four strikeouts.

Southern Utah will be back in action on Wednesday when the team faces its fifth in-state competition as the Thunderbirds travel to Ogden and face the Weber State Wildcats. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.

Print Friendly Version