Softball 3/31/2012 8:53:00 PM SUU Strategic Communication

Griffin's Home Run Hat Trick Powers Thunderbirds to 9-6 Victory

CEDAR CITY, Utah - March 31 - Southern Utah University softball relied on the power of Mikkel Grffin on Saturday afternoon as the junior transfer accounted for two-thirds of the Thunderbirds' runs in a 9-6 victory over UMKC. Griffin recorded three home runs on the day as the T-Birds moved to 20-14 on the year and 8-4 in Summit League play.

"Heather (Black) didn't have her best stuff today," head coach Kyle Magnusson said of the SUU starting pitcher. "She continued to work through it, but with the type of day Mikkel had we were able to get this win today."

Griffin was a perfect 4-for-4 with home runs in the first, second and sixth innings. Her first home run of the contest tied the game at 1-1 after UMKC opened with an RBI single in the first.

Madison Resley broke the 1-1 deadlock a few batters later with an RBI single, also in the first inning, scoring Kelsey Bryant from second after collecting a single and moving to second on a UMKC error.

Griffin's second big fly of the game scored three in the second inning with the Thunderbirds taking a 5-1 lead. A third home run by a Southern Utah batter, this time by Haylee Hoch in the third inning increased the margin to five, 6-1. A trio of singles by Tessa Loewen, Griffin and Bryant in the fourth put the game at 7-1.

Southern Utah looked in control all game with the exception of the sixth inning when the Kangaroos cut the lead to one, 7-6, with five runs in the frame. The push chased Black from the circle after having thrown 5.2 innings where she allowed six runs (two earned) on six hits and three walks with three strikeouts, eventually earning the win.

Danielle Axe came on in relief and a line drive to third baseman Kadi Henderson ended the UMKC rally and kept the T-Birds in the lead by one. Griffin capped her monstrous day with a two-run shot over the centerfield fence in the bottom of the inning, giving Southern Utah a three-run cushion and 9-6 lead.

Axe kept UMKC hitters at bay in the seventh, allowing only a single in the frame and striking out the final Kangaroo batter for her second save of the season.

The victory gave Southern Utah the series over UMKC with the Thunderbirds continuing a streak of taking each conference series at home this season.

SUU will be back in action next week with road games at Brigham Young University on Tuesday night and a Summit League series at IUPUI on Friday and Saturday. Fans can watch the game at BYU on Tuesday night live on BYUtv with live stats anticipated to be available for each game online at www.suutbirds.com.

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Players Mentioned

#21 Danielle Axe: P; 5' 8"; Junior

#23 Kelsey Bryant: INF; 5' 11"; Junior

#5 Kadi Henderson: UT; 5' 3"; Sophomore

#15 Haylee Hoch: UT; 5' 9"; Senior

#14 Tessa Loewen: INF; 5' 3"; Freshman

#00 Madison Resley: 1B; 5' 11"; Sophomore

Players Mentioned

#21 Danielle Axe
: 5' 8"; Junior
: P

#23 Kelsey Bryant
: 5' 11"; Junior
: INF

#5 Kadi Henderson
: 5' 3"; Sophomore
: UT

#15 Haylee Hoch
: 5' 9"; Senior
: UT

#14 Tessa Loewen
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: INF

#00 Madison Resley
: 5' 11"; Sophomore
: 1B