CEDAR CITY, Utah - The Southern Utah softball team wrapped up a three-game series with the North Dakota Fighting Hawks Saturday afternoon with a close 6-4 loss at Kathryn Berg Field.

North Dakota struck first in the second inning, getting a run across on a RBI groundout with runners on second and third.

The Thunderbirds answered in the bottom half of the inning, tying the game on a bases-loaded walk from Makenzie Ball and taking a 2-1 lead on a RBI groundout from Mikaela Thomson.

The back-and-forth continued as the Fighting Hawks tied the game at 2-2 in the third inning with another RBI groundout. They were able to extend their lead in the fourth inning with three more runs on an RBI single and a two-run home run to right center.

The three-run lead didn't last long for UND as Nicole Simonson cut it to just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning with a big two-RBI triple, scoring Sarah Murphy and Samantha Guerra.

The Hawks would add an insurance run in the fifth on a solo home run from Marina Marzolino. Neither team would be able to score again as North Dakota took the series finale 6-4.

Samantha Guile had another stellar relief outing in the circle for the T-Birds. The sophomore allowed just one hit through three innings while striking out four Fighting Hawks. That brought her strikeout total to eight on the weekend in 8.1 innings of work.

Murphy had another great outing at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a run scored and two walks. She was one of three Thunderbirds to have multiple hits on Saturday with Kendall Kapitzke and Kalei Watkins also picking up two hits each.

Murphy finished the weekend 5-for-8 with five runs scored, three RBIs, two doubles, and two home runs. The senior is currently on a eight-game hitting streak that dates back to March 23.

The Thunderbirds will hit the road Tuesday to take on the Utah Utes in Salt Lake City.

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