Softball 3/9/2012 11:48:00 PM SUU Strategic Communication

Thunderbird Softball Combines for 19 Runs in Run-Rule Routs

CEDAR CITY, Utah - March 9 - Southern Utah University softball racked up 19 runs on Friday afternoon in posting run-rule victories of 9-0 and 10-1 over Oakland University to begin Summit league play. The wins extend a hot streak that has seen the Thunderbirds win eight of their last nine games.

"We hit the ball really well today," head coach Kyle Magnusson said after the game. "When we are playing like that we are really, really good."

Southern Utah scored in bunches in game one, ultimately winning the contest on a Terysa Dyer walk-off, three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth inning. The Thunderbirds opened the scoring with four runs on three hits in the second inning with Tessa Loewen, Kelsey Bryant and Kadi Henderson earning the RBI in the frame.

SUU used three more hits in the bottom of the fourth to score two more runs as Dyer ripped a double into centerfield, scoring Mikkel Griffin on third and Kelsey Bryant from first. In all, Dyer finished game one with five RBI on a double and a home run.

Oakland's offense was stifled during the game by SUU starter Heather Black who racked up eight strikeouts, including the first three consecutive batters to start the game. Black only allowed three hits during the game and didn't give up a walk in her five innings of work.

Black returned in game two and gave up only one run on an Oakland home run in the third, marking only one of two hits off the Lancaster, California product. She also recorded three more strikeouts to bring her total on the day to 11 in nine innings.

The Thunderbird offense took control of game two early, erupting for seven runs on five hits and three walks in the first inning. Haylee Hoch drove in three on a three-run home run, Mallory Wilkinson tallied an RBI on a triple and Loewen recorded the final RBI with a double.

Oakland starter Bailee Braunreuther left the game after recording only two outs in the frame after she was drilled in the shoulder by a hard shot off the bat of Griffin late in the inning.

Southern Utah was held without a run in the second and third, but came out and recorded a pair of home runs and two doubles in the bottom of the fourth to extend the lead to its eventual outcome of 10-1. Griffin and Kadi Henderson tallied the big flies for the T-Birds in the frame with Hoch recording an RBI on a double.

Danielle Axe came on in relief in game two, throwing the final inning and sitting down the Golden Grizzly lineup in order with a strikeout and a pair of ground balls.

The two teams will return to the diamond tomorrow to finish out the three-game series with the finale scheduled for Noon. Fans can follow the game via a live stats link online at www.suutbirds.com or tune in to Power 91 (FM 91.1) on the radio dial or online at www.power91radio.com to listen to the game live.

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