OGDEN, Utah - The Southern Utah softball team opened a three-game series with the Weber State Wildcats Saturday afternoon with a doubleheader that ended in two tough losses for the Thunderbirds.

Game One: SUU 2, WSU 3

The Thunderbirds played their first extra-inning game of the season in game one of Saturday's doubleheader. The two teams combined for just 13 hits due to great pitching performances on both sides. Senior Kirsten Hostetler started in the circle for the Thunderbirds and after a tough first inning, she really locked in throughout the rest of the game.

The Wildcats got on the board first with two runs on two hits and a sacrifice fly in the first inning. Down 2-0 early, Hostetler pitched six consecutive shutout innings, allowing just four hits during that time. The Thunderbirds would tie things up at two runs apiece in the third inning.

Morgan Leonard got things started with an infield single and got herself into scoring position with her second stolen base of the season. Sarah Murphy brought her home with a RBI single to center field and Nicole Simonson tied the game with a single of her own, scoring Murphy from second base.

The game would remain tied all the way into the bottom of the eighth inning when senior Riana Splinter hit a walk-off fielder's choice with runners on second and third. Right fielder Nicole Simonson went two for four in game one with a RBI.

Game Two: SUU 1, WSU 9

Game two had a much different feel as the Thunderbirds were only able to muster four hits and one run and were mercy ruled by the Wildcats.

SUU struck first in this one as senior Karlee Manzione hit a RBI double in the first inning, scoring Simonson from second base and giving the Thunderbirds a 1-0 lead early.

The lead wouldn't last long though as the Wildcats would go on to score nine unanswered runs: two in the first inning, four in the second, and three more in the fourth. The Thunderbirds would not be able to score anymore runs to keep the game alive and the Wildcats secured the series win with a 9-1 five-inning victory.

Simonson had another two-hit game in game two, bringing her hit total to four on the day.

On Deck

The Thunderbirds and the Wildcats will wrap up the series tomorrow at noon in Ogden. Southern Utah will try and get to 10 conference wins for the first time since 2015.

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