SALT LAKE CITY – Southern Utah dropped to the University of Utah in both games of its double header. The Thunderbirds fell to the Utes 6-1 in the first game and 10-1 in the second.
"Utah is a solid hitting team. They took advantage of their opportunities," Southern Utah head coach Tom Gray said. "We had a few chances to move runners and score early in the first game but we didn't execute. That was the difference."
The opening four innings of the first game were scoreless before Utah knocked three hits for two runs in the bottom of the fifth to take the lead. Southern Utah failed to respond in the top of the sixth as the Utes bounced back with another four runs in the bottom of six.
Jordan Theurer doubled to center field with one out in the top of the seventh before advancing to third on a passed ball. Kelli Hales grounded out to shortstop to score Theurer for an RBI and give the Thunderbirds their lone run of the game.
Southern Utah rounded out the game with five hits to Utah's 11. Theurer led the Thunderbirds with two hits as Kaitlin Williams, Taylor Dumas, and Tanisha Anderson each contributed one hit. Katie Greenberg was in the circle for Southern Utah.
Utah scored a quick run in the bottom of the first inning to open the second game of the double-header before adding two in the third. The Utes rallied seven runs in the bottom of the fourth to enter the fifth inning with a 10-0 lead.
Hales walked to open the fifth inning for the Thunderbirds before Greenberg singled through the left side to push Hales to second. Hales advanced to third on a passed ball before Anderson walked to load the bases. Kylee Wolf singled to right field to score Hales and clench a run for SUU to wrap up the game.
Greenberg finished the matchup with two hits as Wolf and Williams each added one. Southern Utah knocked four hits to Utah's 10. Hanna Wynn started in the circle and pitched into the fourth inning before Ashley Ostler stepped in for relief.
The Thunderbirds return to Big Sky play by hosting Sacramento State in a three-game series. Southern Utah will begin the series with a double-header on Friday. The first game hitting off at 12. Saturday's game will begin at noon.
