Softball 4/14/2012 7:34:00 PM SUU Strategic Communication

SUU Softball Falls 5-3 to IPFW in Series Finale

FORT WAYNE, Ind - Southern Utah University found itself in a hole early and was unable to overcome a four-run first inning by IPFW, falling to the Mastodons 5-3 in the series finale on Saturday morning. The loss drops the T-Birds to 25-19 on the year and 11-7 in conference play, but keeps the team firmly in fourth place in the Summit League standings.

IPFW used four hits and a Thunderbird error in the first inning to build a quick 4-0 advantage before Southern Utah chipped into the margin in the top of the second. Kadi Henderson ripped a two-run home run over the left field fence, scoring Terysa Dyer from first and marking her fourth big fly of the week.

SUU had its next scoring opportunity in the third when Tessa Loewen knocked a one-out double into the gap in left center field, but was unable to come around as the inning ended with a pop up and a strikeout. An RBI single by IPFW in the bottom of the fourth stretched the lead to 5-2 in favor of the Mastodons.

A second runner was stranded by SUU in the top of the sixth when Mikkel Griffin knocked a one-out double, but wasn't able to advance when the frame ended on a fly ball and ground out. The Thunderbirds began a late rally in the top of the seventh when Mallory Hyland-Wilkinson drew a lead-off walk and then came around to score on back-to-back singles off the bats of Katie Olinger and Megan Gurski. SUU had runners on first and second with two outs in the frame, but the game ended on a fly ball in foul territory down the third base line on the next at bat.

Danielle Axe, winner of game two by way of a no hitter, suffered defeat in game three, throwing 3.1 innings where she allowed five runs (three earned) on nine hits and one walk with four strikeouts. Heather Black threw the final 2.2 innings and held the Mastodons without a hit while recording two strikeouts.

Southern Utah will be back in action next week in its final conference series at home when the T-Birds host South Dakota State on Friday and Saturday. The teams will play a doubleheader on Friday at Noon with the series finale on Saturday set for 11:00 a.m. 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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Players Mentioned

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

#7 Heather Black: P; 5' 10"; Senior

#12 Terysa Dyer: UT; 5' 8"; Sophomore

#17 Mikkel Griffin: INF; 5' 5"; Junior

#8 Megan Gurski: P; 5' 8"; Freshman

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

#20 Mallory Hyland-Wilkinson: OF; 5' 8"; Junior

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

#25 Katie Olinger: C; 5' 4"; Junior

Players Mentioned

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

#7 Heather Black
: 5' 10"; Senior
: P

#12 Terysa Dyer
: 5' 8"; Sophomore
: UT

#17 Mikkel Griffin
: 5' 5"; Junior
: INF

#8 Megan Gurski
: 5' 8"; Freshman
: P

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

#20 Mallory Hyland-Wilkinson
: 5' 8"; Junior
: OF

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

#25 Katie Olinger
: 5' 4"; Junior
: C