Haylee Hoch Home Run Powers SUU to Victory over UMKC

MACOMB, Ill. - May 12 - Southern Utah University junior Haylee Hoch dropped a home run ball over the fence in the fourth inning and it was all the offense the Thunderbirds needed to post a 1-0 upset victory over No. 1-seeded UMKC in the first round of the Summit League tournament on Thursday afternoon. The win puts the T-Birds into the next round, facing North Dakota State on Friday at 12:30 p.m.

SUU starter Heather Black surrendered only three hits to UMKC during the game with the Kangaroos advancing only as far as second base in the first, fourth and fifth innings. Black tallied five strikeouts during the day, including inning-ending strikeouts in the second, fourth, sixth and seventh.

Thunderbird batters were also kept at bay through the first three innings, recording a lone base hit in the second. However, with one out in the top of the fourth inning, Hoch stepped to the plate and drilled a ball over the fence in left center field to give Southern Utah the 1-0 lead.

SUU threatened again in the top of the fifth, putting runners on first and second with consecutive walks. UMKC starter Deanna Friese was able to dodge the bullet by recording a strikeout and then inducing a fly ball to keep the score at 1-0. Aly Daniels put the pressure on the Kangaroos again in the sixth inning with a lead-off double, advancing to third during the next at bat on a sacrifice bunt. But, Friese was again able to get out of the inning with a pair of strikeouts.

Neither team put up any threats over the final two frames as Southern Utah maintained the 1-0 lead to post the upset victory.

SUU will now face North Dakota State on Friday in the winner's bracket with a victory meaning a berth in the championship game on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. A loss would force the T-Birds to play an elimination game later on Friday with the first pitch of that game scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Fans will be able to follow all of the games with live stats anticipated to be available online at www.suutbirds.com.

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Players Mentioned

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

#22 Aly Daniels: INF; 5' 6"; Senior

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

Players Mentioned

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

#22 Aly Daniels
: 5' 6"; Senior
: INF

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

Players Mentioned

#7 Heather Black

#22 Aly Daniels

#15 Haylee Hoch

Players Mentioned

#7 Heather Black

#22 Aly Daniels

#15 Haylee Hoch