ST. GEORGE, Utah - Feb. 11 - Southern Utah University softball got off to a rocky start to 2012 with an opening 5-2 loss to Utah Valley University on Saturday afternoon.
"We just didn't play well today," head coach Kyle Magnusson said after the game. "Utah Valley made the most of their hits and I expect that we'll come out tomorrow and play a much better game."
UVU jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning, capitalizing on two Thunderbird errors as each of the runs were unearned. The scoring began with back-to-back singles to start the game with the runners advancing to second and third on a passed ball. A walk two batters later loaded the bases and then a miscommunication by the middle infield on the ensuing batter led to the first run of the game on the fielding error. Another error followed as Mikkel Griffin's attempt to turn a double play sailed over the head of Madison Relsey at first, scoring two.
Southern Utah looked poised to answer in the bottom of the frame, loading the bases with only one out. However, a strikeout and ground ball ended the threat and delayed the Thunderbirds' first runs until the bottom of the fourth inning.
Kadi Henderson recorded a two-out single in the bottom of the fourth and was followed by Ariel Morbeck who drew a walk to put runners on first and second. A clutch, two-out hit by Mallory Wilkinson scored Henderson from second and put runners on first and third. The inning ended during the next at bat as freshman Tessa Loewen was called out on a fly ball to left field.
Utah Valley answered with runs in the top of the fifth on an RBI double and a ground ball to second base that scored a runner from third, extending the lead to 5-1.
That margin held going into the bottom of the seventh inning until an RBI single by Griffin cut the lead to three, 5-2, and marked her third hit of the ball game. The hit put runners on first and third in the frame with only one out, but the game ended on a pair of ground balls off the bats of Kelsey Bryant and Madison Resley.
Southern Utah's Heather Black was given the loss after throwing 4.1 innings where she allowed five runs (two earned) on seven hits and two walks with four strikeouts. Freshmen Megan Gurski and Amber Marlett were flawless in relief roles, throwing 1.2 and 1.0 innings, respectively, and keeping the Wolverines without a hit. Utah Valley's Tiffany Mills earned the victory, throwing a complete game and allowing two runs (both earned) on six hits and four walks with three strikeouts.
The teams will take to the field again tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. The game will be played at Dixie State College in St. George with live stats anticipated to be available online at www.suutbirds.com.
