Softball 4/30/2011 9:50:00 PM SUU Strategic Communication

SUU Softball Records Walk-off Single to Win 4-3 in 11 Innings

CEDAR CITY, Utah - April 30 - Southern Utah softball used a two-out, walk-off RBI single off the bat of Heather Richardson in the bottom of the 11th inning to post a 4-3 victory over North Dakota State on Saturday afternoon. The win moves the T-Birds to 24-28 overall and 14-7 in the Summit League with only one more conference series on the schedule.

"Wow," head coach Kyle Magnusson said after the game. "That isn't the way you always want to get your wins, but we'll take it. North Dakota State has a great team and this series was really tough. I'm really proud of our team and the way we were able to get that win today."

Southern Utah was held hitless through six innings, but did score a run in the fifth to take the first lead of the game, 1-0. Richardson drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt laid down by Madison Resley. Kadi Henderson then came to the plate and popped out and Richardson then baited a throw to second with a longer lead. The ball sailed on the NDSU shortstop and carried into right field, allowing Richardson to score on the play.

The 1-0 margin held through the first two outs in the sixth, but a two-run home run by North Dakota State game the visitors the lead for the first time, 2-1. An RBI single up the midd le for the Bison two batters later stretched the lead to 3-1.

The score remained 3-1 going into the bottom of the seventh inning when Southern Utah led off the frame with back-to-back doubles by Haylee Hoch and Darleen Fernandez, putting runners on second and third. The tension mounted as the next two batters struck out looking, but a clutch two-out single by K. Henderson tied the game at 3-3.

Neither team was able to break through over the next three innings as starting pitchers, Heather Black for SUU and Whitney Johnson for NDSU, went the distance throughout the contest. The game looked like it would continue through the bottom of the 11th inning as Southern Utah began the frame with a pair of fly balls to the outfield. Hoch then came to the plate and ripped a single to center field that was then misplayed by the NDSU defense and allowed the junior to move to third.

Following an extended discussion in the circle by NDSU coaches and players, Fernandez was intentionally walked during the next at bat, giving Richardson the chance to tally the game-winning hit for the T-Birds.

"Honestly, I was kind of mad," Richardson said after the game. "I kind of felt disrespected that they thought I was the easier at bat and so I just wanted to hit the ball hard." Richardson did hit the ball hard, drilling a walk-off single to left-center field and giving the Thunderbirds the 4-3 victory.

Southern Utah will close out its conference season next weekend with a road trip to UMKC and then will close out its regular season at home when the T-Birds host Brigham Young University on Tuesday, May 10.

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