Softball 2/26/2012 1:18:00 AM SUU Strategic Communication

SUU Softball Splits with Weber State in Saturday Doubleheader

CEDAR CITY, Utah - Feb. 25 - Southern Utah University softball erupted for 16 runs on Saturday, but ended up splitting a doubleheader with Weber State, falling 6-3 in game one before coming back to post a 13-4 run-rule victory in game two.

The Thunderbirds had early leads in both games, including game one when Mikkel Griffin took the first pitch she saw from Weber State starter Sarah Clark and smashed the ball over the center field fence for her second home run of the season. The Wildcats tied the game with a run in the top of the second on an RBI double.

An RBI single by Kelsey Bryant with runners on first and second in the third inning shifted the lead back to Southern Utah's hands later in the game. However, the advantage was short lived as Weber State capitalized on two SUU errors and a wild pitch in the fifth to square the game at 2-2.

Long balls were then the deciding factor in the seventh inning as Weber State used a three-run blast coupled with a solo home run to take a 6-2 lead. Another RBI single by Bryant in the bottom half of the inning cut the difference to 6-3, but a pair of outs ended the game and the Thunderbird comeback.

SUU started Heather Black suffered the loss in the circle, throwing 7.0 innings and allowing the six runs (four earned) on eight hits. The senior didn't surrender a walk during the game while totaling seven strikeouts.

The loss put a chip on the Thunderbirds' shoulders going into game two as the team exploded for 12 runs over the first two innings. Four runs crossed the plate in the first inning accounted for on a Kadi Henderson two-run single, a walk drawn by Terysa Dyer and an RBI single off the bat of Haylee Hoch.

Eight more runs came in during the second on an RBI double by Bryant, a two-run single by Henderson, a two-run double by Katie Olinger and a three-run home run by freshman Tessa Loewen.

Weber State put two runs on the board in the third on a two-run single, making the score 12-2. SUU sophomore Madison Resley put the finishing touches on Southern Utah's scoring in the bottom of the inning, crushing the ball over the wall in right center for her second home run of the year.

The Wildcats punctuated their scoring with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth on a two-out, two-run double by Brooke Silva. A final strikeout recorded by Megan Gurski on the following batter put the 13-4 victory in the books for the Thunderbirds.

Danielle Axe earned her first victory in the circle for Southern Utah in 2012, starting in game two and throwing 4.0 innings while allowing two runs (one earned) on six hits and one walk with three strikeouts. Weber State's Kelsie Vallies was given the loss after allowing six runs (all earned) in one inning where she gave up four hits and five walks with two strikeouts.

Notable hitters during the day included Griffin who was a perfect 3-for-3 on the day with a double, home run, five walks and seven total bases. Loewen was close behind, hitting .750 from the plate (3-for-4) with six total bases.

The two teams will play the finale of the three game series tomorrow afternoon at Kathryn Berg Field with the first pitch scheduled for Noon. Live stats for the game is anticipated to be available online at www.suutbirds.com.

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