PORTLAND, Oregon – Despite picking up two Southern Utah victories over Portland State on Saturday, the Thunderbirds couldn't manage to snag the third matchup as they fell to the Vikings, 1-7. Southern Utah drops to 9-16 on the season as Portland State advances to 7-21.
Katie Greenberg led the Thunderbirds at the plate with two hits, including an RBI and a double. Ashley Ostler and Hanna Wynn each pitched three innings for Southern Utah in the loss.
“I just don't think we played to our potential,” Southern Utah head coach Tom Gray stated. “The conditions were not the best, but that is when we need to step up and find a way to win.”
The opening two innings of the third matchup between Southern Utah and Portland State were scoreless from both teams. Greenberg nailed a double down the left field line in the top of three, but the Thunderbirds were unable to bring her home. The Vikings rallied four runs in the third to gain a lead over Southern Utah.
The Thunderbirds went three up, three down in the top of the fourth before Portland State scored a fifth run to place the game at a 5-0 PSU lead to enter the fifth inning.
Jordan Theurer walked to open the fifth inning for Southern Utah before Kelli Hales reached first on a fielder's choice, which forced Theurer out at second. Greenberg singled to center field for an RBI to score Hales and put the T-Birds on the board. Despite a Portland State hit in the bottom of the fifth, SUU held the Vikings scoreless in the respective inning.
Kaitlin Williams singled to center field in the top of six, but was the only Thunderbird to get on base in the inning. Portland State took a two-out rally to snag two insurance runs in the bottom of the sixth and clench a 7-1 lead to enter the final inning.
Southern Utah went three up, three down in the top of seventh to fall to Portland State, 7-1.
Portland State finished with nine hits as the Thunderbirds rounded out the game with just three.
The Thunderbirds will take a quick break from Big Sky play to host Dixie State on Wed., Mar. 25, at 4 p.m. before hosting Big Sky Idaho State at noon on both Mar. 27 and Mar. 28.
