Softball 2/21/2012 2:07:00 AM SUU Strategic Communication

SUU Softball Sweeps Utah State

ST. GEORGE, Utah - Feb. 20 - Southern Utah University softball scored runs in bunches en route to a doubleheader sweep over in-state opponent Utah State on Monday afternoon. The Thunderbirds posted wins of 9-3 and 7-2 to improve their overall record on the year to 4-6 while the Aggies drop to 5-6.

"We hit the crap out of the ball today," head coach Kyle Magnusson said after the game. "Utah State is a great team and had some great wins coming into this game. Our team has really improved in a couple of weeks, it is really like night and day."

Southern Utah started slow in game 1, falling behind Utah State 2-0 when the Aggies put together two runs on three hits and an error in the second. The lead remained going into the bottom of the fourth inning when the SUU offense finally got hot, beginning with a Mikkel Griffin lead-off double that narrowly missed going over the wall.

The bases were loaded a few batters later when Ariel Morbeck drew her second walk of the game, scoring Griffin from third and keeping the bases juiced. Another walk, this time drawn by Terysa Dyer, tied the game at 2-2. SUU took its first lead of the game on an errant throw by Utah State's catcher as she tried to pick off Megan Gurski at third, sailing the ball into the outfield and allowing Gurski to score.

Two more runs crossed the plate for the Thunderbirds in the bottom of the fifth inning as Griffin cleared the wall during her next at bat and Morbeck earned an RBI after drawing her third walk of the game with the bases loaded, extending the lead to 5-2.

Utah State chipped into the lead in the top of the sixth on a solo home run, but four more runs by Southern Utah in the bottom of the frame kept the comfortable T-Bird lead intact. Kelsey Bryant, Kadi Henderson and Haylee Hoch tallied RBI for the Thunderbirds during the inning.

SUU starter Heather Black capped off the win with a one-two-three inning in the top of the seventh for the 9-3 victory. Black also started in game 2, ending the day with a pair of wins after 14.0 innings pitched, allowing five runs (three earned) with no walks and four strikeouts.

Southern Utah also trailed in game 2 as Utah State used an RBI single in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead. The advantage didn't last long as the Thunderbirds answered with a run of their own in the home half of the inning on a double steal, scoring Tessa Loewen from third after the freshman led off the frame with a double.

SUU then took the lead in the bottom of the second after back-to-back walks and an Aggie error loaded the bases and a two-run single by Gurski gave the T-Birds a 3-1 edge. Another run in the third, this time on an RBI single by Dyer increased the lead to 4-1. A two-run home run by Bryant and an RBI single by Dyer in the sixth ballooned the SUU lead to 7-1.

Utah State scored its final run in the top of the seventh when Bryant fielded a ball deep in the hole and tried to make the throw to first and missed an outstretch Madison Resley at first. The error cost the Thunderbirds a run, but the final out was recorded on the next at bat, ending the game 7-2.

Five T-Birds hit over .500 during the two games, including Griffin (3-for-6), Henderson (4-for-8), Dyer (3-for-4) and Hoch who led the team with an .800 average with a 4-for-5 clip at the plate. Three of Henderson's four hits resulted in doubles with the sophomore also flashing leather at third base, beginning one of two Thunderbird double plays on the day.

Southern Utah will be back in action this weekend, hosting Weber State University on Saturday and Sunday. The two teams are slated to play a doubleheader on Saturday at Noon and a single game on Sunday also beginning at Noon. All of the games are scheduled to be played at Kathryn Berg Field, but could be moved to St. George if inclement weather forces a change in the venue. Live stats for all three games is anticipated to be available online at www.suutbirds.com.

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