CEDAR CITY, Utah – Southern Utah rounded out its three-game series against Idaho State with a 13-4 loss. Kaitlin Williams contributed a two-run homer for the Thunderbirds in the loss.
“You have to take every game as an individual game. It hurts to lose three games in a row, but we can win three wins in a row too,” Williams commented.
The Bengals opened the game with two home runs to take a quick 4-0 lead over the Thunderbirds. Southern Utah failed to score in the bottom of the first before Idaho State added three runs in the top of two.
“They (Idaho State) hit well. They're a good team and they hit us as well as anyone has all year,” head coach Tom Gray said. “We can't give up as many opportunities as we did.”
Jordan Theurer singled through the left side to open the bottom of the second inning before Kelli Hales singled up the middle to push Theurer to second. Ashley Clayson walked to load the bases before Taylor Dumas walked to score Theurer for an RBI. Williams singled through the left side to score Hales and cut Idaho State's lead to five.
“I've been working really hard on the inside pitch and making sure I get my hands inside the ball. I finally got that opportunity and I went with it,” Williams explained of her home run.
ISU quickly responded with four runs in the top of three and one in the top of four to build a 10-run lead over the Thunderbirds. Dumas singled through the right side to open the fourth inning for Southern Utah before Williams homered for two runs.
“We had a better offensive game today (than yesterday). There were times we swung at pitches that weren't going to help us,” Gray stated. “We need to get better at that and we need to understand what we can and cannot hit.”
The Bengals tacked on their 13th run in the top of five. SUU couldn't manage to score a run in the bottom of five, as the mercy rule was enforced for a 13-4 Idaho State victory.
Southern Utah concluded the game with seven hits and two errors. Katie Greenberg, Hanna Wynn, and Ashley Ostler all spent time in the pitching circle in the loss.
“It's hard to watch your team struggle and to watch bases loaded and teams scoring on you every inning. It's tough,” Williams said. “We just need to get better in all aspects of the game.”
The Thunderbirds break from Big Sky play by traveling to Salt Lake City to take on the University of Utah on Mar. 31 before returning home to host Sacramento State on Apr. 3 and Apr. 4.
“Sacramento State is a good team. They pitch it well and they hit it well,” Gray said. “Were going to have to come out and play our best. We're going to need to get better this week and find a way to get it done.”
