POCATELLO, Idaho. - The Southern Utah softball team wasted no time setting itself up as a Big Sky Conference title contender with a run-rule doubleheader sweep of Idaho State in Pocatello, Idaho today.

The Thunderbirds made quick work of ISU with back-to-back five-inning run-rule shutouts of 9-0 and 8-0 to start Big Sky play at 2-0.  Overall, the T-Birds hit five home runs and five doubles on the day.

Today's Big Sky doubleheader sweep was the first for the Thunderbirds since sweeping Portland State on May 5, 2018. That day, the T-Birds claimed back-to-back triumphs of 4-3 and 13-4.

Along with the T-Birds' run-rule victory against Dixie State earlier this week, SUU has had three-straight run-rule wins in a row.  

The last time Southern Utah pulled off this feat was a three-set sweep of Oakland University March 9-10, 2012. 

"We have been talking about playing one pitch at a time and focusing on the process," head coach Don Don Williams said. "They are really starting to take what we have been teaching them.  It has been nice.  A lot of kids had really good days.  Makall Whetten and Brooke Brown had great days.  Kalena Shepherd had an amazing day.  Magalogo had been struggling offensively and was clutch with the grand slam.  That was a great at bat for her."

In the opener, Makall Whetten continued to demonstrate power from the leadoff position with a bomb over the left-field fence to push SUU to a 1-0 lead in the first frame.  Kalena Shepherd followed in the second stanza with a rocket to left center to stretch the lead to 2-0.

Tyler Denhart, who captured the win with four innings of three-hit ball, demonstrated some superior resiliency in the bottom of the second as she pitched herself out of a no-out bases-loaded jam to force ISU to strand three on base.

Gianna Carosone pushed the lead to 3-0 in the top of the third with a double to left center that plated Dayna Hokanson. 

Leading 3-0 heading into the fourth, the T-Birds unleashed a six-run inning to close out ISU in the contest. Josey White picked up an RBI by being hit-by-pitch with bases loaded to score Skyler Ball. Broke Brown reached on an ISU error to bring Whetten home before Carosone singled to center field to drive Hokanson across home plate.  Shepherd finalized the 9-0 triumph with a double down the left-field line to clear the bases for 3 RBI.

Denhart earned her fifth win of the season, including six flyouts and five groundouts.

SUU rode the momentum from the first game into the nightcap with a dominant first inning, taking a 5-0 lead in the process.

Brown singled to left center to push Hokanson home for a 1-0 lead before Mikelle Magalogo uncorked a grand slam to left field to send Shepherd, Brown and White home for a 5-0 advantage.

Shepherd hammered her second home run of the day with a two-run dinger to also plate Brown for a 7-0 lead in the third.  Whetten also collected her second home run of the day with a fourth-frame shot to complete scoring at 8-0.

Payton Goodrich twirled a gem in the circle with a one-hitter in four innings pitched for her third win of the campaign.  She struck out four while also notching five flyouts and two groundouts.  

Grace Owen provided relief in both contests, pitching two total innings and allowing two hits with two strikeouts.

Next up, SUU finishes the three-game set with a single game tomorrow at Noon MT. 

Follow Us

Stay up to date during the 2021 Thunderbird Softball season by following @SUUSoftball on Twitter and Instagram and liking the Southern Utah Softball page on Facebook.