SUU took an early lead in the day's first contest on home runs from senior infielders Meagan Neilson and Madison Resley. Neilson drove a two-run shot out to left in the second and Resley sent the first pitch she saw over the wall in left center with a runner on in the top of the third to put the Thunderbirds up 4-0.

Sacramento State narrowed the margin to one with three runs in the bottom of the fourth, starting with a leadoff solo home run from Sasha Margulies. T.J. Watts then crossed the plate on a wild pitch and Paige Castro scored on a passed ball to make the count 4-3.

The Thunderbirds distanced themselves again with a pair of runs in the fifth inning as Kadi Henderson reached home on an error and Lyndsey Healey drove an RBI single into right to extend the advantage to 6-3.

The Hornets picked up another score on a fielding error in the bottom half of the frame, but SUU relief pitcher Katie Greenberg closed out the game with three strikeouts over three scoreless innings to save the 6-4 win for the T-Birds.

Senior Ariel Hart (3-6) went four innings in the start, allowing just two earned runs on five hits while recording four strikeouts. Jennifer Hartman (4-5) took the loss after giving up six runs on five hits in five innings of work.

It was the home team that would strike first in the second meeting after Alexis Martinez hit a two-run RBI single in the opening frame to put the Hornets out in front, 2-0.

Southern Utah rallied with three scores in the top of the fourth, taking advantage of two errors, to claim a 3-2 edge. Healey and Neilson both reached home on defensive miscues before Kelli Hales drove an RBI single up the middle to give the Thunderbirds the lead.

Sacramento State came back with four runs of its own in the bottom half of the inning to retake control by a 6-3 margin. Four different Hornets each recorded an RBI during what would prove to be the game-deciding rally. 

Greenberg contributed 2.2 more scoreless frames in her second relief appearance of the day for SUU after replacing freshman Jordan Theurer (5-6) in the fourth inning. The SUU freshman was charged with six runs on seven hits. Kaitlyn Yerby (3-1) gave up three runs, all of which went as unearned, and collected three strikeouts in a four-inning start to take the win.

The Thunderbirds managed only five hits in the defeat, but stranded nine base runners as the Hornets committed five errors. Resley's two-run shot in the opener moved her into a tie for the team lead with her fourth home run of the season. Neilson's round-tripper marked her second of the year.

Southern Utah and Sacramento State close out the series on Saturday afternoon with the deciding game scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. (MT) Coverage of SUU softball is available online at www.suutbirds.com.