SUU Softball Splits with Weber State in Saturday Doubleheader

Softball 3/29/2012 12:52:00 AM SUU Strategic Communication

SUU Softball Sweeps UNLV in Wednesday Doubleheader

CEDAR CITY, Utah - March 28 - Southern Utah University softball posted a pair of victories over UNLV on Wednesday afternoon, including a run-rule 9-1 victory in game one and a 3-2 victory by way of a two-run home run off the bat of Madison Resley in game two. The victories move the T-Birds to 18-13 overall on the year.

"Scoring nine runs in game one helped us make up for those errors," head coach Kyle Magnusson said after the games. "The second game was a lot closer and our defense did a great job and helped us win that one."

Heather Black started game one and held the Rebels without a hit through four complete innings. In the mean time, Southern Utah built a two-run lead as back-to-back RBI doubles by Terysa Dyer and Madison Resley in the first inning gave SUU a 2-0 lead.

UNLV's lone hit in the fifth generated its only run of the game as a pair of sacrifice bunts, an SUU throwing error and ground ball moved the runner from first to home. Southern Utah answered in the home half of the inning by scoring four runs, three on a three-run, bases-clearing triple by Haylee Hoch and a sacrifice fly off the bat of Kadi Henderson.

Three more runs crossed the plate in the bottom of the sixth, sealing the Southern Utah victory in run-rule fashion as Resley tallied an RBI single and Henderson recorded a two-run double with the bases loaded.

Black earned the victory for the T-Birds in the circle, throwing six complete innings where she allowed one run (unearned) on one hit and one walk with six strikeouts.

Southern Utah used a trio of pitchers in game two as freshman Ashley Ostler recorded her first collegiate start, but left the game after three innings to pave the way for Amber Marlett, a fellow freshman, to pick up her first collegiate victory in 1.2 innings of relief. Danielle Axe closed out the game to earn the save, giving up only one hit in 2.1 innings of relief with one strikeout.

The Thunderbirds opened the game trailing the Rebels as UNLV tallied a run in the second inning on an RBI double. SUU tied the game in the bottom of the third in similar fashion with an RBI double off the bat of Mikkel Griffin, squaring the contest at 1-1.

The deadlock was short lived as UNLV took the lead back with a run in the top of the fourth, scoring on a pair of doubles in the frame to built an advantage of 2-1. Southern Utah answered with a two-run home run by Relsey in the bottom of the inning as the sophomore left no doubt after connecting with the ball at the plate, causing the Rebel outfield to watch the ball as it dropped over the left center fence. The bomb scored Dyer who led off the inning with a single and gave the Thunderbirds the lead at 3-2.

The margin held through the end of the game after Axe came in and collected the final seven outs with her only blemish coming off the bat of UNLV's Paige Emerson who finished the game a perfect 4-for-4.

Southern Utah will be back in action this weekend when the Thunderbirds resume Summit League play and host the UMKC Kangaroos on Friday and Saturday. The teams will meet in a doubleheader on Friday at Noon with the series finale set for Saturday at Noon. Fans can follow the games via a live stat link that is anticipated to be available online at www.suutbirds.com.

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