Softball 4/7/2012 2:27:00 AM SUU Strategic Communication

SUU Softball Sweeps IUPUI in Friday Doubleheader

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - April 6 - Southern Utah University softball swept the IUPUI Jaguars on Friday afternoon, taking both games 3-1 and 3-1. The victories move the Thunderbirds to 10-4 in Summit League play and 22-16 overall.

SUU missed out on some opportunities in game one, leaving the bases loaded in the first and third innings before finally breaking through in the top of the sixth. Senior Haylee Hoch knocked a one-out single towards the third base side of the infield and then was driven home on a two-run home run off the bat of Kadi Henderson to give the Thunderbirds the 2-0 lead. A third run crossed the plate when a Tessa Loewen double in the frame drove home Kylee Schmitke.

Southern Utah starter Heather Black had IUPUI batters on their heels the entire contest with the Jaguars only having runners in scoring position in the third and seventh innings. The Jags scored their only run of the contest in the seventh, loading the bases and eventually scoring the run on a fielder's choice. A final strikeout and ground ball ended the contest.

IUPUI was the first to threaten in game two, as back-to-back hits led to a play at the plate where Nikki Thomas was thrown out by Kelsey Bryant when the junior cut off the throw from center and made the throw home.

Southern Utah then put the first lights on the scoreboard in the very next frame as Mikkel Griffin led off the fourth with a double. She came around to score a batter later as Bryant knocked an RBI single to center field. Bryant moved to third on a ground ball and then crossed home plate on an RBI single by Madison Resley.

An RBI double in the fifth capped Southern Utah's scoring during the game as Loewen recorded the two bagger to score Megan Gurski from third after the freshman led off the frame with a single.

IUPUI's lone run of the game came in the bottom of the sixth as a pair of singles put runners on the corners for the Jaguars and an RBI ground ball scored the run. Black came on in relief in game two, earning the save after recording the final three outs in the seventh inning.

Ashley Ostler picked up the victory for the Thunderbirds in the circle, throwing 5.1 innings where she allowed the one run on four hits with no walks and four strikeouts. Danielle Axe also saw action in the game, throwing two outs of relief in the sixth, giving up one hit and one walk during the inning.

The two teams will meet again in the series finale tomorrow morning at 10:00 a.m. The IUPUI staff were unable to provide live stats for Friday's games, but is anticipating the feed to work for Saturday's game. The live stat feed will also be available online at www.suutbirds.com barring any difficulties in Indianapolis.

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Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#13 Ashley Ostler: P; 5' 7"; Freshman

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

#16 Kylee Schmitke: OF; 5' 3"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#13 Ashley Ostler
: 5' 7"; Freshman
: P

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

#16 Kylee Schmitke
: 5' 3"; Freshman
: OF