CEDAR CITY– Southern Utah rounded out its three-game series with Sacramento State victorious, outscoring the Hornets 11-7. The win places the Thunderbirds 4-5 in Big Sky play.
Jordan Theurer led all batters with five RBIs, including her first home run as a Thunderbird.
“This was a game-changer. Right now, we can position ourselves to be in really good shape for the Big Sky Conference Tournament,” head coach Tom Gray stated. “We just need to keep playing like this and winning. The girls came out with a great attitude. We challenged the girls to come out and be a little bit more enthusiastic and they certainly were.”
Lyndsey Healey walked with two outs to put Southern Utah's first runner on base before Kaitlin Williams singled to center field to push Healey to second. Theurer doubled to score Williams and Healey and give the Thunderbird's a 2-0 advantage over Sacramento.
“I feel really good about what we did today. We came out swinging the bat really hard,” Katie Greenberg said. “It worked for us.”
The Hornets responded with four runs in the top of the second before the ultimate Thunderbird rally exploded in the bottom of two.
Taylor Dumas doubled through the right side to get the Thunderbirds rolling before Greenberg was hit by a pitch and Tanisha Anderson singled to load the bases. Kylee Wolf singled to score Dumas before Sara Park walked to score Greenberg. Healey reached first on a fielder's choice to score Anderson before Theurer singled for two RBIs, Park and Wolf. Kelli Hales grounded out to first base to advance Theurer and Healey before Dumas walked to load the bases. Greenberg singled through the right side to score Healey for an RBI before Anderson singled to score Theurer. Southern Utah wrapped up the inning with seven runs on six hits.
“Our defense played into our confidence in the box,” Theurer said. “It just transferred over.”
The Hornets tacked up three runs on the board in the top of the fourth to force a two-run game before Southern Utah snagged an insurance run in the bottom of five. Park doubled through the left side with two outs before Healey singled down the left field line to score Park and extend SUU's lead to three.
Theurer knocked over her first home run of her SUU career in the bottom of the sixth inning to put up the final run of the game and seal the 11-7 win over Sacramento State.
“I just wanted to get the ball in the outfield. Because if I get it in the outfield, then I don't have to run hard,” Theurer laughed. “I think I finally figured out my swing and I finally feel smooth and natural in the box.”
Southern Utah and Sacramento State each finished with 12 hits and two errors a piece.
“I have a lot more confidence on the mound when my team is hitting the ball and scoring runs for me,” Greenberg explained.
Southern Utah will continue Big Sky play by hitting the road for a series with Weber State on Apr. 10 and Apr. 11.
“We're starting to peak at the right time, especially because conference is getting to the point that we need to start playing well,” Theurer commented. “Hopefully we can keep playing like this.”
